The future of Adrian Newey is likely to be one of the key talking points for the rest of the 2024 Formula 1 season.
The 65-year-old designer announced that he would leaving Red Bull Racing in the first quarter of 2025.
Speaking on the Formula For Success Podcast, former driver and Newey’s close friend David Coulthard has shared what next step he would take in his position.
After decades of being one of the most influential figures in Formula 1, Adrian Newey looks set to take on another challenge.
So far, he’s not revealed any details on what that might be but he certainly won’t be short of options.
However, Coulthard has admitted that in Newey’s position, he might decide that the stress of returning to the paddock isn’t worth it.
Given how many teams are considering making him an offer, Red Bull might be relieved if he decides that the RB20 is the final car he influences.
David Coulthard shares what next step he would take in Adrian Newey’s position
It speaks volumes about the importance of Adrian Newey that Martin Brundle believes he’s one of the two people in the paddock that he would have in his F1 dream team.
The other person is Max Verstappen and Red Bull might be frustrated that they can no longer rely on that combination.
The fact that Verstappen is still being linked with a move to Mercedes might worry Christian Horner although that looks unlikely to happen this season.
Newey has seriously considered joining Ferrari and would be able to join Lewis Hamilton for the first time in their F1 careers.
However, Ferrari are likely to face competition from Mercedes who have changed their mind over signing Newey.
Aston Martin have offered Newey a huge contract in the hopes of alluring him to their Silverstone factory.
Their rivals McLaren are understood to have two key reasons why they believe they don’t need him, although if he makes himself available to the Woking-based team then they might have trouble saying no.
David Coulthard has admitted that his step if he was Newey would be to ignore all of the speculation and put his feet up.
It’s hard to imagine Newey not wanting to be involved in some sort of project after leaving Red Bull, especially with new F1 regulations on the horizon.
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Adrian Newey’s next move could have big consequences for the F1 grid
Talking about the 65-year-old’s future, Coulthard said: “Here’s what I would like to see happen. I’d like to see him just be happy.
“Clearly, if he’s reflected on a contract that was signed a year or so ago and decided that he doesn’t want to be part of that contract longer term that has to come from a space of doubt or unhappiness.
“Sometimes chasing the next opportunity, thinking that’s going to bring you happiness, you can end up having regret.
“So, whatever it is, I wish him all the best. I know what I would do if I was him at 66 [65] years old with more money than time.
“I would be on that boat quicker than you could see me pack my Speedos!”
Only Adrian Newey knows what next step he’s likely to take and retiring as David Coulthard suggests is one option on the table.
Coulthard’s co-host Eddie Jordan is his current manager and recently shared his ‘likely’ next step.
It’s going to be fascinating to see if another Formula 1 team can convince him to carry on and what impact he’s capable of having.
The post ‘What I would do’: David Coulthard says what call he would make in Adrian Newey’s position after Red Bull exit appeared first on F1 Oversteer.
