After much speculation, Adrian Newey’s departure from Red Bull was finally confirmed.
Adrian Newey feels the time is right to “seek new challenges for myself”, after confirming his shock exit from Red Bull on Wednesday.
There had been widespread speculation regarding the departure of the team’s chief technology officer, who is a part of the current World Champions. Finally, it was officially announced that he will indeed be leaving the team, and this transition is scheduled to take place during the first quarter of 2025.
Adrian Newey to ‘hand baton over’ at Red Bull and ‘seek new challenges’
Since 2006, Newey has been an integral part of Red Bull’s success, leading the design of all their World Championship-winning cars. However, numerous teams have pursued him, seeking to secure his expertise.
For decades, Ferrari has expressed their admiration for Newey, with the man himself confirming that they have approached him on at least three separate occasions for Formula 1 and IndyCar. Rumor has it that they are once again interested in securing his services for 2025. Additionally, Aston Martin reportedly made an offer to Newey during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in March, but team principal Mike Krack denied this claim.
But having spent almost two decades with the same team, Newey has said he feels the time is right for others to step up within Red Bull, and pursue other opportunities for himself.
After dedicating himself to the RB17 road car project from its very beginning, he will now devote the rest of his time with the team to this venture, thereby stepping away from his Formula 1 design responsibilities.
Newey expressed his lifelong dream of becoming a designer of high-speed automobiles when he announced his departure.
“I have been fortunate enough to turn my dream of becoming a Formula 1 engineer into a reality. Over the span of nearly two decades, it has been an immense honor for me to contribute significantly in Red Bull Racing’s journey from a promising new team to a powerhouse, achieving multiple championship victories.”
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But now, I believe it is the perfect time to pass on that responsibility to others and embark on new ventures for my own personal growth and development.
“For now, as we approach the completion of RB17’s development, my attention will primarily be dedicated to these final stages. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the remarkable individuals I have had the privilege of collaborating with at Red Bull throughout our 18-year journey. Their exceptional skills, unwavering commitment, and relentless efforts deserve my deepest appreciation.”
I feel honored to have had the opportunity, and I have full confidence in the engineering team’s readiness for the upcoming four-year period of this regulation set, as they work towards the final evolution of the car.
I would like to express my gratitude to the shareholders, including the late Dietrich Mateschitz, Mark Mateschitz, and Chalerm Yoovidhya, for their consistent support throughout my tenure at Red Bull. Additionally, I am thankful to Christian, who not only served as my business partner but also became a valued friend to our families. I would also like to extend my appreciation to Oliver Mintzlaff for his exceptional leadership and to Eddie Jordan, my trusted manager and close friend.
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