Red Bull design chief Adrian Newey to leave team amid controversy

Legendary Formula 1 designer Adrian Newey is set to leave Red Bull Racing amidst a storm of controversy surrounding team principal Christian Horner. Newey, widely regarded as the greatest F1 designer in history, has informed Red Bull of his desire to move on, according to BBC Sport.

The British design chief has been linked with a move to Ferrari and has reportedly received an offer from Aston Martin. With his contract at Red Bull running until the end of 2025, Newey is looking to negotiate an exit that would allow him to work with another team as soon as next season.

Newey’s decision to leave Red Bull comes in the wake of a power struggle within the team, stemming from allegations involving Horner. Despite Red Bull clearing Horner of any wrongdoing after an internal investigation, the situation has led to tensions within the team.

During his tenure at Red Bull since 2005, Newey has overseen two dominant eras, including the team’s recent success with Max Verstappen. Last season, Verstappen and Red Bull had a historic campaign, winning 19 out of 22 races.

Newey’s departure is expected to have a significant impact on Red Bull and could potentially unsettle Verstappen, who has expressed his desire for stability within the team. Verstappen, who is under contract until 2028, has been linked with a move to Mercedes in the future.

As one of the most influential figures in F1, Newey’s departure marks the end of an era at Red Bull and could have far-reaching implications for the team’s future success.