Red Bull confirm legendary F1 designer Newey is to leave the team

Red Bull have announced that Adrian Newey is to leave the team, with the esteemed F1 designer departing after almost 20 years at Milton Keynes.

Newey joined Red Bull ahead of their second F1 season in 2006 and has been instrumental in the squad’s success over the years, helping to turn the operation from midfield runners and points scorers into Grand Prix winners and world champions.

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Indeed, Red Bull have claimed six constructors’ titles and seven drivers’ titles – between Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen respectively – with Newey-designed cars to date, and they are currently on course to do the double again in 2024.

However, it has now been confirmed in the build-up to the Miami Grand Prix that Newey will be departing from his Chief Technical Officer role in the first quarter of 2025.

A Red Bull statement also confirmed that Newey would be stepping back from Formula 1 design duties to "focus on final development and delivery of Red Bull’s first hypercar, the hugely anticipated RB17." He will see out this project until its completion and will continue to attend specific races to support the F1 team trackside to the end of the 2024 season.

"Ever since I was a young boy, I wanted to be a designer of fast cars," said Newey. "My dream was to be an engineer in Formula 1, and I’ve been lucky enough to make that dream a reality.

"For almost two decades it has been my great honour to have played a key role in Red Bull Racing’s progress from upstart newcomer to multiple title-winning team.

"However, I feel now is an opportune moment to hand that baton over to others and to seek new challenges for myself. In the interim, the final stages of development of RB17 are upon us, so for the remainder of my time with the team my focus will lie there.

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"I would like to thank the many amazing people I have worked with at Red Bull in our journey over the last 18 years for their talent, dedication and hard work. It has been a real privilege, and I am confident that the engineering team are well prepared for the work going into the final evolution of the car under the four-year period of this regulation set.

"On a personal note, I would also like to thank the shareholders, the late Dietrich Mateschitz, Mark Mateschitz and Chalerm Yoovidhya for their unwavering support during my time at Red Bull, and Christian, who has not only been my business partner but also a friend of our respective families.

"Also, thanks to Oliver Mintzlaff for his stewardship and Eddie Jordan, my close friend and manager."

Red Bull Team Principal and CEO Christian Horner also hailed Newey's influence within the team, describing him as a "true legend".

He said: “All of our greatest moments from the past 20 years have come with Adrian’s hand on the technical tiller. His vision and brilliance have helped us to 13 titles in 20 seasons.

"His exceptional ability to conceptualise beyond F1 and bring wider inspiration to bear on the design of grand prix cars, his remarkable talent for embracing change and finding the most rewarding areas of the rules to focus on, and his relentless will to win have helped Red Bull Racing to become a greater force than I think even the late Dietrich Mateschitz might have imagined.

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"More than that, the past 19 years with Adrian have been enormous 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 I will be eternally grateful to for everything he brought to our partnership. The legacy he leaves behind will echo through the halls of Milton Keynes and RB17 Track Car will be a fitting testament and legacy to his time with us.”

What does the future hold for Newey?

While Newey will be remaining with the Red Bull Technology Group until the first quarter of 2025, it has not been stated what he will do next after leaving.

Reports suggest Ferrari, who have signed Lewis Hamilton to drive for them from next season, are favourites while Aston Martin have also been reported as a potential destination.

What is undeniable is Newey's pedigree within Formula 1, having been a guiding hand in no less than 12 constructors' winning cars so far in his career. Wherever he may end up, he will certainly prove to be a valuable asset.