It appears to be a matter of when not if Adrian Newey will stop working for Red Bull Racing.
The 65-year-old has officially submitted his resignation after nearly two decades with the current Constructors’ champions.
In a report from BBC Sport, more details about Adrian Newey’s future have been revealed.
Newey will be heading out of the door sooner than expected despite having a contract that currently runs until the end of 2025.
He’s already met with the team principal of a rival team in London this week suggesting that he’s unlikely to step away from Formula 1 once his time with Red Bull comes to an end.
However, Red Bull would have put measures in place to prevent Newey from helping another team on the grid any time soon.
‘High-level sources’ have now shared when he could be seen in another team’s colours in the Formula 1 paddock once his exit from Red Bull is confirmed.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links
Adrian Newey could start working for Red Bull rival sooner than they would like
Unsurprisingly, several teams on the grid are already circling Adrian Newey.
Ferrari have reportedly made him an offer that mirrors his current position at Red Bull, allowing him to work on projects outside of Formula 1.
That would appeal to the 65-year-old, although his close friend Riccardo Patrese is unsure that he’ll want to leave the UK.
Aston Martin have been splashing the cash recently and have made a huge contract offer to Newey.
He’s always dreamed of working alongside Fernando Alonso and the 42-year-old extending his contract with the team shows how committed they are to making their time in Formula 1 a success.
Mercedes will also be keeping a close eye on Newey’s future as they look to return to the front of the grid.
However, Newey reportedly has concerns about working with Toto Wolff which could scupper their chances of hiring him.
A key detail every team will be looking at is when Newey can start working once he leaves Red Bull.
It could impact whether he’s able to have a real influence over a team’s first car in the next set of regulations being introduced in 2026.
Adrian Newey could give one team a big advantage heading into the next era of F1
The report from the BBC suggests that Ferrari are ‘hot favourites’ to sign Newey and he’s ‘seriously considering’ their offer at the moment.
Newey’s contract was supposed to run until the end of 2025 and includes a ‘non-compete clause’ that would theoretically stop him from working for another team until 2027.
However, Newey’s lawyers are working on negating that clause and ‘high-level sources’ close to Newey and Red Bull believe he will be free to start working with another team from the start of 2025.
That would be a huge boost for whoever manages to secure Newey’s signature.
After winning more than two dozen Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships in Formula 1 so far, he’ll be in no rush to end that streak with whichever team he ends up with next.
The post Report: When ‘high-level sources’ think Adrian Newey would be available to start working for rival F1 teams appeared first on F1 Oversteer.
