With Adrian Newey’s latest design, the RB19, dominating the Formula 1 grid, it’s no surprise that Red Bull are keen to retain his services as long as possible.
However, with the chief technical officer’s contract up for renewal, other teams are eyeing up an opportunity to poach Newey from the reigning world champions.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner isn’t about to let that happen easily though, as he seeks to ensure his team maintains its position at the top of the sport.
“We don’t talk about contracts or longevity of contracts, but he’ll be here for many years to come,” Horner told Sky Sports News.
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“His heart is still very much in Formula 1.
“He’s such an important part of our team and popular part of our team.
“It’s great to have him with us for the long term, but also to be involved in some of the things we’re now getting involved in.
“There’s always going to be rumours in this paddock, that’s Formula 1,” he added.
Despite Horner’s clear desire to retain Newey’s services, former F1 world champion Damon Hill has raised doubts over whether he will remain with Red Bull beyond his current contract.
“I can’t help ignoring this thing he [Newey] did in Bahrain, where he stood in front of the Mercedes on the grid, with his clipboard, and stood there for a long time looking at their front wings,” Hill told the F1 Nation podcast.
“Anybody who knows Adrian will go, ‘Wait a minute, he’s already got the most dominant car in F1, why’s he looking at the Mercedes front wings?’
“Was he really looking at the front wings? Or was he just standing in front of a Mercedes saying ‘I’m interested’. Is that what he was really saying?”
Newey’s success began at Williams, helping the team secure five Constructors’ Championships between 1992 and 1997.
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The car Newey designed for Williams would give the team its last Constructors’ and Drivers’ titles.
Newey joined McLaren from 1997-2005, helping the team win the Constructors’ title in 1998.
Having joined Red Bull in 2006, Newey was the designer behind the team’s Championship-winning cars in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2022.