Adrian Newey Explains Red Bull Departure Amid Aston Martin Move
Adrian Newey has shed light on the factors behind his decision to leave Red Bull Racing, marking the end of an illustrious tenure with the team. The veteran Formula 1 designer announced last year that he would join Aston Martin in 2025 as their Managing Technical Partner, a significant acquisition for the team.
Newey’s move was one of the most notable non-driver shifts of 2024, with his proven track record of designing championship-winning cars making him a sought-after figure in the paddock. While Ferrari was initially rumored to be the frontrunner for his services, Newey ultimately opted for Aston Martin, signaling his intent to take on a new challenge.
The 66-year-old played a pivotal role in Red Bull’s dominance, contributing to six Constructors’ Championships and eight Drivers’ Championships, secured by Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. However, Newey revealed that his departure stemmed from a sense of professional stagnation and a desire to explore fresh opportunities.
Speaking on the High Performance Podcast, Newey explained, “There comes a point where I feel I need new challenges. The team at Red Bull has reached a good level of maturity—it’s a very solid engineering organization. In a way, I’ve done my bit.”
Newey admitted that the engineering team’s growth made his continued involvement less critical, as they had developed the capability to sustain their success independently. “I started to feel like things were getting a bit stale. I think the guys at Red Bull also wanted to prove they could do it without me,” he added.
The decision to leave was particularly surprising given Red Bull’s challenging start to the 2024 season, which was marked by internal instability. Despite these hurdles, Newey felt it was the right time to step away and pursue a fresh project.
Aston Martin’s announcement of Newey’s arrival is a major statement of intent for the team, which has been on an upward trajectory in recent years. With Newey set to join in March 2025, the partnership signals a strategic move to strengthen their technical foundation and challenge the established front-runners.
Newey’s arrival at Aston Martin marks the beginning of a new chapter for both parties, as the design maestro aims to replicate his success and elevate the team to championship contention.
