Ted Kravitz has raised eyebrows over Adrian Newey's talks to terminate his contract early. The reason is that Newey is simply tired of F1.
Newey had a contract until the end of the 2025 season, but will leave Red Bull after the first quarter of 2025, with the chief technology officer leaving F1 to focus on Red Bull's RB17 hypercar. I am about to start my “Gardening Vacation” period.
Ted Kravitz questions Adrienne Newey's negotiations
Newey will be a free agent by mid-2025, allowing him to join a rival team ahead of the revolutionary regulations in 2026 if he wishes, but Sky F1 broadcaster Ted Kravitz has confirmed that Newey will be a free agent if he wishes. In light of the reasons alleged, they question why they felt it was necessary to negotiate early release. To leave.
Speaking in Miami, Newey said he is stepping away from F1 for now, with the aim of not only leaving Red Bull but also deciding whether he wants a new challenge within the sport.
“F1 is all-consuming,” he said.
“I have been working on it for a long time now. 2021 has been a really busy year as we have had a close battle with Mercedes throughout the championship and at the same time focused all our efforts on the research and development of the RB18, the father of this generation of cars. Ta.
“I don't know. I think there comes a point where I just feel, like Forrest Gump said, 'I'm feeling a little tired.'”
Kravitz takes this explanation with a bit of a grain of salt, saying: “It’s neither here nor there that he would spend a year sailing around the world or touring Europe in a motorhome with his delightful wife Amanda.
“But what was strange was that he had a contract until the end of 2025. Then there was a one-year non-compete clause until the end of 2026 and a provision for gardening leave.”
“So if he was just going to retire and go on vacation and go for a walk or go sailing, he wouldn't have cared what the gardening vacation period was. It makes no difference to him.”
“But obviously he wanted to negotiate it down. He did that with the help of Eddie Jordan, who is now his manager.”
“He has been negotiating, but I don't know how Christian Horner and Helmut Marko and these heads of Red Bull were able to successfully negotiate for Adrian Newey to release his gardening leave clause early. do not have.
“But he did, and all credit to him, well done! EJ still has negotiation skills.”
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Kravitz also questioned why Red Bull chose not to fight Newey upon his departure, as he could return to the sport whenever he wanted once he finally left the Red Bull campus. He kept his contract and kept him out of the hands of a rival team for a little while longer.
“Now Adrian can work for someone else, another F1 team or anyone else he wants, almost from the day he leaves Red Bull in April 2025,” Kravitz said.
“Well done, Adrian. Let's see what happens. That's the big question on everyone's mind – not how much they'll be hurt by his departure, but clearly if they'll be hurt by his departure.” It would hurt, but why did Red Bull let him go so easily?
Newey was seen on the grid ahead of the Miami Grand Prix sprint race in talks with Ferrari vice-chairman Piero Ferrari, while Lewis Hamilton, who will join Ferrari next season, said Ferrari and Fred Vasseur were working together. He said he would “very much” like to work with Newey if possible. He lured him to the Scuderia.
Regarding Hamilton's comments, Newey said: “Honestly, it's very kind of Lewis to say that to me. I'm very honored.”
“But for now, let's take a little break and see what happens next.”
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