Since joining the team in 2006, Adrian Newey has experienced a great deal of happiness during his time at Red Bull.
Former Red Bull driver David Coulthard said that Adrian Newey’s departure should be seen as a look back at a “wonderful period of time”, rather than a “world-defining event” in the news cycle.
Following extensive speculation, it was confirmed on Wednesday that Newey would be departing Red Bull in the early months of 2025. He will immediately step away from his Formula 1 design responsibilities to focus on completing the Red Bull RB17 hypercar project. This marks the end of his 19-year tenure with the team.
David Coulthard seeing Adrian Newey departure as ‘celebration’ of Red Bull achievements
Throughout his driving career, Coulthard formed a close working relationship with Newey, collaborating with him at Williams, McLaren, and ultimately at Red Bull until his retirement.
However, there are concerns about the impact of losing Newey as the team’s technical figurehead, considering the impressive 25 Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles won in Newey-led designs, 13 of which were achieved during his time at Red Bull.
Team principal Christian Horner has been among those to try and highlight the depth of talent within the department, and Coulthard acknowledged that, while Newey’s departure is “big news”, he hopes it can be a cause to look back and celebrate the monumental achievements Newey has helped Red Bull towards in his time with the team.
During an interview on the Formula For Success podcast, Coulthard expressed his observation that everything nowadays, including his own perspective, is often presented as breaking news or a world-changing event, resembling the way a tsunami captures attention.
It’s undoubtedly significant for the sport whenever there’s news of a player switching teams, be it Lewis joining Ferrari or rumors of Adrian parting ways with Red Bull.
However, I believe that recognizing the impermanence of things, particularly in the realm of sports, allows me to appreciate the incredible period of time that has transpired.
PlanetF1.com recommends
What next for Adrian Newey? Red Bull exit will spark bidding war for F1 2026 battleground
Adrian Newey’s gardening leave explained: How F1 legend will spend his final days at Red Bull
He has spent the majority of his racing design career, which spans eighteen years, with this team. In fact, it is the longest time he has been associated with any team.
Instead of feeling alarmed about his departure, I view it as a cause for celebration.
“[Speaking to Eddie Jordan] Eddie, with your four children, it is crucial for them to eventually leave home and for people to progress in their lives in order to experience any kind of growth or development.”
During the podcast, Eddie Jordan, the co-host and former team owner, commended Red Bull’s accomplishments and the remarkable tenure of key personnel at the helm of the organization. Jordan, acting as the manager for the chief technology officer, was involved in Newey’s discussions with Red Bull.
He agreed with Coulthard’s statement, expressing his astonishment at the remarkable qualities of the man and the efficient management of Red Bull. Despite its large size, he believes that Red Bull still maintains a strong sense of family unity and this is the essence of their success.
For instance, the Austrians, particularly under the leadership of Didi Mateschitz during his time there, were able to establish such a remarkable atmosphere.
Despite his shyness, he held significant influence in the team’s operations, and you, Coulthard, can attest to this firsthand as you were a member of the team.
Despite not being a manufacturer team, they continue to utilize various engines such as Honda, which is their current engine, and there have been rumors of them potentially switching to Ford in the future. This will serve as their connection to the Ford brand.
The progress they have made as a complete manufacturer during this period has been impressive.
I admire individuals such as Adrian and Christian Horner, along with all those who have the ability to persist and remain committed in their endeavors. It is truly an impressive feat in itself.
It is unrealistic to anticipate individuals under such immense pressure to remain united, but the Red Bull team has managed to do so.
Read next: Aston Martin suffer huge blow in big-money pursuit of Adrian Newey – report
