Ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, Red Bull announced that Adrian Newey, a key figure in their team, was departing.
This news followed rampant speculation that had been building over the previous week.
According to Red Bull’s statement, Newey is set to leave “in the first quarter of 2025,” allowing him an early exit from his contract that was originally set to expire at the end of the following year.
The timing of Newey’s departure is crucial as he will not require a gardening leave, thus enabling him to join another team immediately.
READ: Adrian Newey’s Potential Departure from Red Bull Sparks Ferrari Speculation
This comes at a time when Formula 1 is on the cusp of significant regulatory changes in 2026, especially with the new engines expected to heavily incorporate battery power.
The design of the chassis is still under discussion.
Ferrari appears to be the leading candidate to secure Newey’s expertise, particularly as they have already snagged Lewis Hamilton under the management of team principal Fred Vasseur.
Pairing Hamilton with Newey could potentially give Ferrari a substantial advantage in the new era of F1.
Newey’s impact at Red Bull has been profound, especially with the dominance displayed by the 2022 cars.
His potential contribution to another team could be similarly transformative, as he aims to add to his 25 career titles.
Journalist Andrew Benson, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Chequered Flag podcast, noted that Newey could leave Red Bull within a specific two-week period in February.
Although he won’t be part of the initial design stages, his arrival will be “early enough” to significantly influence the 2026 car design.
“I think it’s around mid-to-late February time, I’m told from my sources, when he’ll able to leave Red Bull – that kind of period,” Benson stated.
“Yes, they’ll have started – whoever he joins – on their new car, but it’s early enough that he can make an impact.”
Newey’s exit poses a potential risk for Red Bull as they navigate a major rule change without his expertise.
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While Max Verstappen supports the transition and trusts in technical director Pierre Wache, not all team members are sorry to see Newey go, with some critical of his central role and working style.
Despite this, there are concerns about Red Bull’s competitive status in 2026, particularly rumors about their engine capabilities.
David Croft has expressed skepticism regarding the team’s minimalization of Newey’s departure, suggesting that Newey’s absence might be felt more profoundly than anticipated, potentially elevating his stature further if Red Bull struggles to adapt.