Before Tuesday, it seemed as if Adrian Newey wasn’t certain to leave Red Bull. It had emerged last week that Newey intended to depart, but he’d stopped short of resigning.
And there were some suggestions that the world champions could still convince the legendary designer to stay. One journalist claimed that he could perform a u-turn if team principal Christian Horner either stepped down or was removed from his role.
Now, though, there doesn’t appear to be any way back. Newey has officially handed in his letter of resignation and he’s ‘seriously considering’ a move to Ferrari.
Red Bull will likely issue confirmation before the Miami Grand Prix this weekend. And many will be wondering just how big an impact his departure will have.
Newey is one of the most revered aerodynamicists in Formula 1 history, having won 12 constructors’ titles with three teams. Having triumphed in the 1990s with Williams and McLaren, he boasts remarkable longevity.
Last year’s RB19 was the most dominant car the sport has ever seen, winning 21 out of 22 races in the hands of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. But opinions vary on Newey’s influence.
Horner has previously stressed the importance of technical director Pierre Wache in the design process. This is something that has reportedly frustrated Newey behind the scenes.
Off the track, there will be concerns over further unrest. There have been suggestions that star driver Verstappen would follow Newey to another team.
The Dutchman is under contract at Milton Keynes until the end of 2028. But that deal apparently includes a break clause ahead of the 2026 regulation changes.
What insiders are saying about Adrian Newey fallout at Red Bull
Newey’s resignation may not bring an end to the upheaval at Red Bull, BBC Sport’s Andrew Benson says. ‘Insiders say’ that more ‘senior figures’ are also considering their future, so there may yet be ‘further ramifications’.
It’s unclear who could go next, but we can be certain that rivals will be circling. They will sense an opportunity to break the Red Bull stranglehold that has existed since the start of 2022.
The team’s current margin of superiority is such that the impact of an exodus is unlikely to be evident straightaway. They have won four of the first five Grands Prix this year in dominant fashion.
But in the long term, it could take its toll. Indeed, with the regulation changes on the horizon, clarity and stability is perhaps more important than ever.
Could Pierre Wache and Helmut Marko also leave Red Bull?
Wache finds himself in an intriguing position right now. With Newey poised to leave, he could definitively become the main man behind the scenes at Red Bull and truly start to build his own legacy.
However, if the upheaval persists behind the scenes, he may feel that it’s best to move on. After all, those circumstances may not be especially conducive to success.
And much like Newey, he certainly wouldn’t be short of offers. Some in the paddock have talked up the possibility of Wache following Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari.
Mercedes are also interested in the 49-year-old, partly because it will improve their chances of landing Verstappen. The world champion may see Wache as even more important than Newey.
And it’s also worth keeping an eye on Helmut Marko. Wolff has apparently told Verstappen he can bring Marko with him to the Silver Arrows if he accepts their offer.
And if the Austrian leaves independently, then it could trigger a separate exit clause in Verstappen’s contract. Horner may urge the team to close ranks in Miami this weekend, but they seem anything but united right now.
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