Adrian Newey Negotiating Early Exit from Red Bull to Join Ferrari in 2025

Adrian Newey, the renowned chief technical officer of Red Bull Racing, is reportedly negotiating an early exit from his contract to join Ferrari in early 2025. The move comes ahead of Formula 1's new engine and chassis regulations set to take effect in 2026.

Newey, who has been instrumental in Red Bull's dominance of the sport since 2022, has formally submitted his resignation, citing a broken relationship with team principal Christian Horner and dissatisfaction with the team's working environment. While the exact details of his departure are yet to be finalized, it is expected that Newey will remain in his role until the beginning of 2025.

Sources close to the situation reveal that Newey has been in talks with several top teams, including Mercedes, Aston Martin, McLaren, and Ferrari. However, Ferrari appears to be the most likely destination for the esteemed designer. The Italian team has been pursuing Newey for nearly two decades and is reportedly offering him a significant contract to lead their technical department.

Why this matters: Newey's departure from Red Bull is expected to have major implications for the team's performance and the competitive landscape of Formula 1. As one of the most successful designers in the history of the sport, Newey's expertise and innovative approach have been critical to Red Bull's championship-winning cars. His move to Ferrari could potentially shift the balance of power and reshape the battle for the 2026 title.

Red Bull is set to make an official announcement regarding Newey's departure today. The team has already begun activating protocols to safeguard the roles of key technical figures like Pierre Wache and Enrico Balbo in anticipation of Newey's exit. However, concerns remain about Red Bull's ability to maintain its competitive edge without Newey's guidance, particularly as they embark on developing their own power units for the 2026 regulations.

The move has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 paddock, with many experts and insiders speculating about the potential impact on Red Bull's future performance. Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher suggested that Newey's departure could lead to Red Bull sinking into mediocrity" within two seasons, placing the responsibility squarely on Horner's shoulders. The situation has also raised questions about the future of Red Bull's star driver, Max Verstappen, who is rumored to be considering his options amid the team's internal turmoil.

As the 2024 Formula 1 season unfolds, all eyes will be on Red Bull and Ferrari as they navigate the impending changes and prepare for the new era of regulations in 2026. With Newey's imminent departure an

Key Takeaways

• Adrian Newey, Red Bull's chief technical officer, is negotiating an early exit to join Ferrari.
• Newey has formally submitted his resignation, citing a broken relationship with Christian Horner.
• Newey's departure is expected to have major implications for Red Bull's performance and F1 competitiveness.
• Red Bull is activating protocols to safeguard key technical figures in anticipation of Newey's exit.
• Newey's move to Ferrari could potentially shift the balance of power in F1 ahead of 2026 regulations.