Adrian Newey officially handed in his resignation as Red Bull chief technical officer last week. The team then issued the announcement in the days leading up to the Miami Grand Prix.
Newey now finds himself in a somewhat strange situation. He’ll still be wearing Red Bull colours and he’ll continue to carry out a limited role, but he’s effectively working a notice period that will last almost a year.
Indeed, it won’t be until mid-to-late February 2025 that Newey officially leaves. Until then, he’ll appear on the pit wall at the odd race, as he did in Miami, and focus for the most part on completing the RB17 hypercar project.
The 65-year-old has been with Red Bull for just under two decades, having joined as they entered the sport in 2006. He’s played a key role in the 13 combined championships they’ve won since.
Newey isn’t just leaving because of interest in a new challenge. His relationship with team principal Christian Horner has become increasingly strained behind the scenes.
Part of the reason for this is that Horner has played down his influence relative to other figures in the technical department. Newey privately refutes his version of events, and may have been left feeling undervalued.
Red Bull have now stopped Adrian Newey from viewing data
In quotes relayed by Formula Passion, Horner explained how Red Bull are handling a difficult balancing act with Newey. He’s still a part of the team, but they have to impose certain restrictions given the possibility that he may join another team.
As such, the team have excluded him from almost all meetings and blocked his data access. When he is present at races, it will largely be because of marketing opportunities for the RB17.
“In Miami, Newey did not participate in any briefings over the weekend except for the one on strategy,” Horner said. “He does not have access to any data and is not designing any pieces.
“He is now focused on the RB17 until the end of his contract. Between now and the end of the year he will participate in some races, mainly those where we have RB17 customers.”
Red Bull will be particularly wary of keeping their plans for the 2026 regulation changes under wraps. Once the chassis specifications are finalised, Newey can settle on what he believes to be the best concept for the new cars, and take it to a new team.
Is Adrian Newey going to Ferrari?
While Newey’s manager Eddie Jordan has suggested that he’s ‘likely’ to take some time out, close friend Zak Brown says we ‘definitely’ haven’t seen the last of him in Formula 1. That may be why he was so keen to negotiate his way out of any gardening leave.
Already, numerous teams are courting the legendary designer. He held talks with Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur in London last week and is seriously considering the move to Maranello.
The Scuderia have offered him exactly the kind of ‘super consultant’ role he’s after. And he’d also have the opportunity, of course, to work with new arrival Lewis Hamilton at F1’s most iconic team.
But the other contenders aren’t out of the race just yet. Toto Wolff was seen in discussions with Newey in Miami and Jenson Button reckons Mercedes could be in a position to sign him if he decides to stay in the UK.
Elsewhere, Aston Martin have made him a hugely lucrative offer and will be eyeing championships themselves from 2026 as they start their partnership with Honda. And James Vowles has also talked up the idea of Newey making a ‘perfect’ return to Williams.
The post 'Does not have access': Christian Horner shares what Red Bull have blocked Adrian Newey from seeing appeared first on F1 Oversteer.