Following intense speculation over the future of the team’s technical director, amid behind-the-scenes turmoil at Red Bull following the controversy surrounding team principal Christian Horner, the Milton Keynes-based team has announced Newey’s departure on Wednesday.
It is unclear whether Newey has made a final decision on his next career steps, but he has been linked most closely with Ferrari, who are keen to lure him on board as part of their efforts to return to the top of the Grid. Aston Martin is also a potential suitor.
In a statement, Red Bull said Newey’s tenure with the team would end in the first quarter of next year and he would attend “specific races” throughout 2024 to continue to provide his input. valuable contribution.
Red Bull has made it clear that despite his departure from F1, Newey will continue to work on Red Bull’s RB17 hypercar project, which is expected to be revealed at Goodwood in July.
The team said: “The head of engineering will step back from F1 design duties to focus on the final development and delivery of Red Bull’s first hypercar, the highly anticipated RB17. He will remain involved and committed to this exciting project until its completion.
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Newey has been with the Red Bull F1 team since 2006 and was instrumental in helping the team win seven Drivers’ Championship and six Constructors’ Championship titles.
Speaking about his decision to leave, Newey said he felt it was the right time to take a step back.
“Ever since I was a young boy, I wanted to become a designer of fast cars,” he said. “My dream was to become an F1 engineer, and I was lucky enough to make that dream a reality.
“For almost two decades, it has been my great honor to have played a key role in Red Bull Racing’s progression from newcomer to multi-title team.
“However, I believe this is an opportune time to pass the baton to others and to set myself new challenges. In the meantime, the final stages of development of the RB17 are upon us, so for the rest of my time with the team, I will focus on that.
Photo by: Autosport
Horner paid tribute to Newey’s contribution during his time with the team, as he said his legacy would live on for a long time in Milton Keynes.
“All of our greatest moments over the last 20 years have come with Adrian’s hand on the technical tiller,” he said.
“His vision and genius helped us win 13 titles in 20 seasons. His exceptional ability to conceptualize beyond F1 and bring broader inspiration to grand prix car design, his remarkable talent for embracing change and finding the most rewarding areas of the rules to focus on, and his The relentless drive to win helped Red Bull. Running to become a force greater than even the late Dietrich Mateschitz could have imagined, I think.
“Even more, the last 19 years with Adrian have been extremely fun. For me, when Adrian joined Red Bull, he was already a superstar designer. Two decades and 13 championships later, he leaves as a true legend.
“He is also my friend and someone to whom I will be forever grateful for everything he has brought to our partnership. The legacy he leaves behind will echo through the halls of Milton Keynes and the RB17 Track Car will be a fitting testament and legacy to his time with us.
