Adrian Newey has now told Red Bull that he wants to leave the Formula 1 team after 19 years, so how will the design legend’s exit impact their star driver Max Verstappen?
The team from Milton Keynes made hiring Newey one of their top objectives after joining F1 back in 2005. Newey has been in the paddock since 1988 and is widely considered to be the greatest designer ever in the pinnacle of motorsport as his cars have won 25 championships.
Red Bull won Newey his 24th and 25th titles last season as Verstappen became a three-time drivers’ champion and the team sealed their sixth constructors’ crown. Newey also designed the cars which Sebastian Vettel won his four consecutive drivers’ titles in from 2010 to 2013.
Max Verstappen does not have an Adrian Newey exit clause at Red Bull
But BBC Sport now reports that Newey has told Red Bull of his desire to leave the team. The 65-year-old is unsettled in Milton Keynes amid the ongoing power struggle and is of interest to rival teams. Ferrari are huge admirers of Newey, who Aston Martin have made an offer to.
Newey is under contract at Red Bull until the end of the 2025 Formula 1 season. But he feels it is possible to negotiate an earlier exit from the team to join a rival outfit from next season. Yet any move away from Red Bull by Newey is unlikely to give Verstappen a way out, as well.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links
Verstappen has a clause in his contract with Red Bull running through 2028 that lets the 26-year-old leave if motorsport advisor Helmut Marko goes. But the Dutchman’s deal does not have a similar clause involving Newey. Yet he will see the design guru leaving as a huge blow.
Mercedes will also likely pay close attention to the fallout of Newey telling Red Bull he wants to leave as they openly pursue Verstappen. The Silver Arrows want the Dutchman to replace Lewis Hamilton in 2025 but could wait until 2026. Mercedes may also try to snap up Newey.
Adrian Newey’s cars have won 12 constructors’ and 13 drivers’ titles
Nigel Mansell was the first Formula 1 driver to win a championship in a car Newey designed. He sealed the title in 1992 driving for Williams, where Newey also won five teams’ titles and saw Alain Prost in 1993, Damon Hill in 1996 and Jacques Villeneuve in 1997 claim the crown.
A move to McLaren in 1998 also saw Newey win both championships as Mika Hakkinen took his first drivers’ title. The Flying Finn also swept back-to-back drivers’ titles. But Newey is on the chase for the fifth team of his career after starting at March, who became Leyton House.
The post Report: Red Bull land some relief amid Adrian Newey exit with key figure likely to stay appeared first on F1 Oversteer.