Adrian Newey's Red Bull F1 Exit: Announcement Expected Before Miami GP

The world of Formula 1 is on the verge of a potentially significant shake-up as rumours intensify regarding the future of Adrian Newey, the sport's most celebrated designer. Reports from Motorsport.com suggest that Newey has formally submitted his resignation to Red Bull Racing, the team he has been instrumental in guiding to unprecedented success since joining in 2005.

Newey, whose designs have won numerous world championships with Williams, McLaren, and Red Bull Racing, is believed to have grown increasingly dissatisfied with his role at the team. Sources close to the situation indicate that the primary reason for his decision to leave is his deteriorating relationship with Red Bull Racing CEO Christian Horner.

The tension between Newey and Horner is said to have reached a breaking point following an interview given by the latter at the end of the previous season. In the interview, Horner suggested that the team's success was not entirely dependent on Newey's contributions, a sentiment that was reportedly met with strong disagreement from Newey's wife, who took to social media to express her disdain, labelling Horner's comments as "Hogwash".

Further complicating matters is the ongoing power struggle between Horner and motorsport consultant Helmut Marko, who have been vying for control of the team in the wake of Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz's death. The internal turmoil has created an atmosphere of uncertainty and instability within the team, which has likely contributed to Newey's decision to seek new opportunities elsewhere.

Moreover, recent allegations of sexually transgressive behaviour by Horner towards a female subordinate, although he has been cleared of wrongdoing, have further eroded the trust and cohesion within the team. It is believed that this incident has played a significant role in Newey's decision to move on from Red Bull Racing.

In recent months, Newey's deputy, Frenchman Pierre Wache, has been elevated to the role of technical director and is being given more importance internally with regards to the design of the new RB20, which has already proven to be a formidable contender on the track, winning 4 out of the first 5 races of the season. However, Newey is still widely regarded as the mastermind behind the team's success, having deciphered the new ground effect aerodynamics regulations that led to the development of the highly successful RB18 and RB19, of which the RB20 is a further evolution.

As chief technical officer at Red Bull, Newey is also overseeing the RB17 hypercar project, but sources suggest that he views this as an attempt to sideline him in favour of Wache, who has reportedly been the subject of interest from Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur.

As negotiations continue regarding the terms of Newey's exit and any potential non-compete clauses, speculation is rampant about his next move. Given his unparalleled track record and reputation as one of the greatest designers in F1 history, Newey is expected to have no shortage of suitors, with the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari, Aston Martin, and McLaren all potentially interested in securing his services.

However, sources indicate that Newey has reservations about joining Mercedes, citing concerns over the time it would take for the team to recover from its current performance slump, especially considering his age of 65. Aston Martin, despite reportedly offering Newey a lucrative deal, is also said to be a less attractive option for the designer, as he is believed to be wary of the team's owner, Lawrence Stroll, and is reluctant to be used as a means to boost the valuation of the F1 project.

A return to McLaren, where Newey enjoyed significant success in the past, is thought to be unlikely, as he feels the team's current financial situation may not provide the necessary resources to restore it to its former glory. This leaves Ferrari and the possibility of retirement as the most probable scenarios for the British designer.

Ferrari has long been an admirer of Newey's work, having pursued him for nearly two decades. The Italian team came close to signing him in 2014, and Newey himself has acknowledged that not working with Ferrari and drivers such as Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso are among the few regrets of his illustrious career. With Hamilton set to join Ferrari in 2025, replacing Carlos Sainz Jr., the prospect of Newey also joining the team has become increasingly intriguing.

However, a move to Ferrari would likely require Newey to relocate from his home in England to Italy, and adapt to the notoriously political environment within the team. The terms of his departure from Red Bull Racing will also play a crucial role in determining his future, as a gardening leave of more than a year would effectively rule out the possibility of him joining another team before 2026, thus limiting his influence on the design of the next generation of F1 cars.

Newey has previously expressed scepticism about the direction of the sport's future regulations, particularly the new engine formula set to be introduced in 2026, which will incorporate fully sustainable fuel and an increased reliance on electrical energy. If he finds these regulations unappealing and a suitable agreement cannot be reached regarding his gardening leave, retirement could become a more likely option for the 65-year-old designer.

As the F1 community eagerly awaits official confirmation of Adrian Newey's future plans, the potential implications of his departure from Red Bull Racing will undoubtedly dominate discussions in the build-up to the Miami Grand Prix and throughout the remainder of the season. The loss of such a key figure could mark the end of an era for Red Bull Racing, a team that has become synonymous with Newey's innovative designs and unprecedented success.

Should Newey decide to join another team, it would signal the beginning of a new chapter not only for the team that secures his services but also for the sport as a whole. The impact of his designs on the competitive landscape of Formula 1 cannot be overstated, and his next move, should he choose to make one, could potentially reshape the balance of power among the top teams.