Adrian Newey has apparently received an appealing offer from one of Red Bull’s Formula 1 competitors. As the team’s chief designer, Newey has been key to their success in the current era.
Last year, his RB19 sent records tumbling by winning 21 out of 22 Grands Prix, with Carlos Sainz’s victory in Singapore all that denied Red Bull a clean sweep. The RB20, meanwhile, is gunning for a fourth win in five at the start of 2024 in China this weekend.
Newey has been with Red Bull since 2006 and was also influential in their first period of success as they won four straight titles with Sebastian Vettel. He’s now 65 years old, but there’s no indication of him retiring in the immediate future.
Prior to signing with the Bulls, Newey had established himself as perhaps the leader in his field during his days with Williams and McLaren. Across the 1990s, he helped deliver championships for the likes of Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost and Mika Hakkinen.
Red Bull spent much of the previous era playing catch-up to Mercedes, but while Newey was initially ‘depressed’ by the 2022 rule changes, he’s mastered them. In fact, he even says the team are ‘struggling’ to find pace given that they are so close to perfecting their concept.
Why offer from F1 rival intrigues Adrian Newey
Speaking on the On Track GP podcast, racing driver Richard Bradley shared what he’d heard about Newey’s future. Aston Martin have supposedly tabled an offer that he regards as ‘enticing’.
Significantly, much of the appeal lies in the projects he’d be able to pursue outside of racing. At Red Bull, Newey has been a leading figure in the production of the RB17 hypercar.
Bradley, who competes in the European Le Mans Series, said: “There’s also a lot of projects which are – hearing on the grapevine and speaking to people involved in the industry – enticing Newey to the Aston Martin role in projects outside of motorsport and outside of Formula 1. I don’t think a rumour like that has come around for no reason, I think they probably have held preliminary talks.”
Is Adrian Newey leaving Red Bull?
While Newey would possibly be subject to a lengthy period of gardening leave if he did choose to join another team, his suitors could manage without him for 2025. What really matters is acquiring the best personnel for 2026.
That’s when we’ll see one of the most significant regulation changes in the sport’s recent history. There will be major changes to both the engine and the chassis at the same time.
While the exact details of the rules have yet to be finalised, we know that the sport will ditch the MGU-H and use sustainable fuels. On the chassis side, the cars are set to become lighter and smaller.
Newey has said he generally welcomes the intellectual test of resets such as this, but he must decide where his future lies. He could try and sustain Red Bull’s success into a new era, or make what may be his final transfer and embrace a new challenge elsewhere.
Bradley’s update is in line with recent claims that Aston Martin have ‘upped the ante’ in their efforts to recruit the legendary designer. Ferrari are also interested as they lay the groundwork for Lewis Hamilton’s arrival next year.
The post ‘Hearing on the grapevine’: F1 pundit says Adrian Newey has received ‘enticing’ offer from Red Bull rival appeared first on F1 Oversteer.