F1’s Latest Soap Opera: Adrian Newey’s Potential Departure from Red Bull

Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Complain about journalism in America if you want to, but compared to journalism in Europe, we are the arbiters of accuracy and fair play. That’s why it is so much fun to see what publications across the pond are saying about the apparent departure of Adrian Newey—the man who began working as an engineer and designer for Red Bull in 2006 and has guided the team to Formula 1 greatness. Driver Max Verstappen, undeniably, has aided his success.

According to the European F1 media, Newey is either leaving Red Bull tomorrow, or at the end of 2026, or someplace in between.

Regardless, there’s no question that Adrian Newey is Formula 1’s current prom queen, apparently being asked to the big dance by a variety of well-heeled suitors.

There’s Lawrence Stroll, head of Aston Martin, who reportedly (these Newey stories use the word “reportedly” a lot) offered Newey $100 million to leave Red Bull.

There’s Ferrari, which reportedly is willing to match Stroll’s offer to have Newey come to Maranello and reinvigorate the career of driver Lewis Hamilton.

And there’s Mercedes, which is the quietest of the key suitors, but there’s no question it would welcome Newey with open arms and an open checkbook.

2024 F1 Grand Prix of Japan Red Bull celebration
Race winner Max Verstappen celebrates with Adrian Newey and team Red Bull after the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka International Racing Course on April 07, 2024.Clive Mason/Getty Images

Since Newey is 65, the subject of outright retirement has come up. What does he have left to prove?

A little background on Newey for readers who aren’t F1 geeks: In 1980, after he graduated from college, he began working in Formula 1 for the Fittipaldi Formula 1 team. The next year, he moved to March, and began designing race cars. His initial project was the March GTP car, which won the IMSA championship twice.

In 1984, he went to work on the March IndyCar. His design won the 1985 and 1986 IndyCar championship and the Indianapolis 500 both years. He returned to March’s F1 design team, but moved to Williams in 1991, where Newey’s star really began to rise. In 1992, Nigel Mansell drove Newey’s FW14 chassis to a constructor’s championship, Newey’s first of many.

His time with Williams ended in 1997; he departed with a solid record, though, of 59 wins for his cars, and four world championships.

Next up was a long stint with McLaren, from 1997 to 2005 with titles in 1998 and 1999, and very nearly in 2000. The later years were less productive, and Newey departed for Red Bull in 2006. His influence was felt early on, but the team did not become a genuine contender until 2009, with Red Bull finishing a close second in the constructor’s championship.

Max Verstappen takes the chequered flag during the F1 Grand Prix of China on April 21, 2024
Most recently, Max Verstappen took the checkered flag for Red Bull during the F1 Grand Prix of China on April 21, 2024.Qian Jun/MB Media/Getty Images

In 2010, Red Bull won the constructor’s championship with driver Sebastian Vettel. In 2011, Newey’s car took 18 of 19 pole positions, and won 12 races and the constructor’s championship. Repeat championships came in 2012 and 2013.

Starting in 2014, Newey’s car suffered from using Renault’s turbo V-6 engines, and it wasn’t until the 2019 switch to Honda power that the team became competitive; in 2020, Red Bull was second in the constructor’s championship.

In 2021, it all came together again. Newey’s design, paired with driver Max Verstappen, won the driver’s championship, and they’ve been dominant ever since. At this point in the season, Verstappen and team driver Sergio Perez lead the standings in driver’s points, and Red Bull leads Ferrari 195 points to 151 in the constructor’s standings.

Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 Car Launch 2024
Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez look at the RB20 with Adrian Newey, during the Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 car launch on February 15, 2024 in Milton Keynes, England.Mark Thompson/Getty Images

So why would Newey want to leave Red Bull? Reportedly—there’s that word again—he is upset about the internal handling and investigation of a complaint lodged by a female employee against team principal Christian Horner for alleged inappropriate behavior. An internal inquiry dismissed the charge. Is that so upsetting to Newey that he would leave a place he was worked, with great success, for 18 years?

According to the European media, yes. Apparently Newey is under contract with Red Bull until the end of 2025, and there are multiple reports that there’s a 12-month no-compete stipulation included in that contract, so Newey wouldn’t really be available to work for a new employer until the 2027 season.

Yet “Wow! Adrian Newey is reportedly leaving Red Bull,” reads the headline on Top Gear. And “Red Bull stunned by shock news F1’s top designer Adrian Newey to leave,” in The Guardian. And “F1 rumor: Adrian Newey decides to leave Red Bull ahead of formal resignation.”

Oops, that headline is from Sports Illustrated.

Regardless, the F1 media must have some sort of soap opera underway 12 months out of the year, and it’s Adrian Newey’s turn under the microscope now. No one denies that his departure, imminent or otherwise, is Big News in racing, but until he decides his next move, it’s just fodder for dozens of talented headline writers.

Stay tuned, bloke.

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Comments

    Can you help me here? I thought F-1 had put something of a cap on spending. But it seems they’re still spending money like drunken sailors. What part of the equation am I missing here Steve?

    The cap is on components and race operations during the season, not on money spent on employees (For some reason)

    Hmmm there are reports from Andretti that they have some of the top people in F1 ready to move to their team.

    Mario and Michale have worked with him in the past and GM can afford to pay him.

    Might be worth watching if he is one of the people Mario spoke of.

    Paul, There are a number of exclusions from the cost cap, one of which is the salaries of the three highest paid staff members (as well as the drivers). This is how Lawrence Stroll is able to be “reportedly” throwing a boat load of cash at Newey to get him to come over to Aston Martin.
    The whole RBR saga is fascinating…it will be interesting to see if/when Newey – who owns a piece of the team – and Max do leave, where each ends up.

    Thanks for the clarification guys. And it makes sense in that F-1 way that in a way it kinda doesn’t. Giving credit where credit is due Newey really seems to have the magic touch. Max has said he’d like to race in another series at some point. I imagine he will sooner or later. Maybe if and when he gets tired of always winning? Just passing back markers must be getting a bit tedious.

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