Adrian Newey is officially leaving his post as chief technical officer at Red Bull. Newey handed in his resignation ahead of last week’s Miami Grand Prix, and the team say he’ll depart in early 2025.
The team’s narrative is that the exit is entirely amicable. After all, Newey has given them 18 years of service to date, during which they’ve won a combined 13 titles.
His friend and manager Eddie Jordan has also suggested that he would like to take a break. He won’t be obliged to take a period of gardening following his exit.
However, tension behind the scenes seems to have played a part in his decision too. The 65-year-old was apparently unhappy that Christian Horner tried to downplay his influence.
In an interview last year, Horner talked up the role of technical director Pierre Wache and his team. In doing so, he hinted that Newey’s involvement was limited.
David Croft isn’t convinced by that version of events. Newey is one of the greatest designers in F1 history, having won 25 championships across three different decades.
Helmut Marko wasn’t surprised by Adrian Newey exit after Amanda Newey comments
Writing on her X/Twitter page in January of this year, Newey’s wife Amanda called Horner’s comments ‘hogwash’. And Red Bull executive director Helmut Marko has now offered his take on that remark in an interview with OE24.
Asked if he was surprised by Newey’s resignation, he said: “No, that has been apparent for a long time.”
It was then put to him that some may have seen it coming after Amanda Newey’s post. With hindsight, it seems to offer a telling insight into the discontent within his camp.
Marko replied: “There have been several occasions. That was one.”
McLaren rule out Adrian Newey move
Marko also shared his fears that, the next time Red Bull see Newey, he’ll be wearing different colours. That aligns with a prediction from McLaren CEO Zak Brown, who insists we ‘definitely’ haven’t seen the last of him in F1.
That’s why Red Bull have already banned Newey from accessing their data and attending most of their meetings. They don’t want him to gain any further information that could be used to help a rival.
While Brown is a close personal friend of the Englishman, he’s ruled out trying to bring him back to McLaren. A return to Williams, another of his former teams, doesn’t seem likely either despite stated interest from James Vowles.
Jenson Button has argued that he’ll look to stay in the UK, potentially opening the door to Mercedes. Toto Wolff was seen holding talks with the legendary figure in the Miami GP paddock.
Aston Martin could also offer him the chance to set up shop in their Silverstone base. Team owner Lawrence Stroll is ready to break the bank to get him on board.
But the clear favourite in the race at the moment is Ferrari. Newey reportedly held talks with team principal Fred Vasseur last week and is ‘seriously considering’ accepting their offer.
The post ‘That was’: Red Bull director Helmut Marko reacts to ‘hogwash’ comments from wife of Adrian Newey appeared first on F1 Oversteer.
