Helmut Marko shares his thoughts on Adrian Newey’s departure from Red Bull.
Never one to mince his words, Helmut Marko has called the departure of “legend” Adrian Newey a “big loss” for Red Bull Racing.
After spending close to twenty years with Red Bull, during which he achieved an impressive record of seven Drivers’ Championship titles and six Constructors’ crowns, with potential for more in the future, Newey is set to depart from Red Bull in early 2025.
Adrian Newey will leave Red Bull in 2025
The renowned designer has already left Formula 1 and will dedicate his remaining months to the Red Bull RB17 hypercar project while being part of the Milton Keynes team.
But while his exit has raised questions about Red Bull’s future with Newey largely credited with the team’s incredible success, which today includes three World titles on the trot for Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez was quick to talk up Red Bull’s design team.
According to the Mexican driver, the success of Red Bull cannot be attributed to just one person. He believes that technical director Pierre Waché and the entire aero group have played a crucial role in the team’s accomplishments, and they are eagerly anticipating the future.
However, Marko asserts that the significant loss of Newey cannot be undermined.
“This is of course a big loss for Red Bull Racing,” Marko told Kronen Zeitung.
Although he was not involved in the day-to-day operations or responsible for every specific detail or component, he possessed comprehensive expertise in aerodynamics and mechanical grip, allowing him to have complete control over the entire car.
Furthermore, his remarkable achievements have elevated him to the status of a legend.
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The motorsport advisor acknowledged that Red Bull has established a “young engineering team” that puts them in a strong position. However, Newey distinguished himself with his exceptional understanding.
“He added that in 2026, there will undoubtedly be new regulations. He further mentioned that historically, whenever such regulations were introduced, Adrian was typically the first to grasp their optimal implications.”
It is uncertain whether Red Bull is aware of Newey’s intentions regarding retirement or potentially joining another team. Reports suggest that Ferrari is the frontrunner in luring Newey to their organization.
When F1TV’s Laura Winter inquired about the rumors, team boss Fred Vasseur evaded the questioning, leaving little doubt that he was avoiding the topic.
She mentioned, “Earlier in the paddock, I spotted Fred Vasseur and Diego Ioverno. I casually joked with them, asking if they had been busy this week and if there were any updates, meetings, or deals in progress.”
“They were extremely eager to withhold any information, practically fleeing from me.”
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