Red Bull will lose Adrian Newey by the middle of next year, so future engine partner Ford has shared its thoughts on his departure.
Ford will enter F1 in 2026 in partnership with Red Bull's new engine division, Red Bull Powertrain, but this means the American giant will not power Adrian Newey's new car.
Ford is committed to Red Bull's future
Ford, with its Milton Keynes-based team and harmonious management structure, was able to compete with Red Bull, which maintains overwhelming dominance in F1.
However, in 2024, this harmony was shaken due to Red Bull's internal investigation into allegations of filibustering by team principal Christian Horner. Although the investigation was dismissed, Mr. Horner retains the support of shareholders in both Thailand and Austria, and the aftermath caused tensions within the company.
The off-track drama helped to accelerate Adrian Newey's future plans, with the chief technology officer opting to hand in his resignation to Red Bull.
A key member of the team who oversaw all of Red Bull's dominant designs over the years, Newey's departure will be a huge loss for the team, especially ahead of major regulation changes for 2026.
Newey's involvement in F1 is over for now, with duties moving to the rollout of the new Red Bull RB17 hypercar, which is expected to hit production next year.
News of Newey's departure may have been a major concern for Ford ahead of a new long-term technical partnership with RBPT as Ford enters F1 in 2026, but Ford's Performance Motorsport Director Mark Rushbrook said Newey's departure would not change anything. .
“We have great respect for Adrian for his career and everything he has done for various teams in F1, especially over the last 19 years at Red Bull,” Rushbrook said.
“We wish him all the best in whatever he does in the future. But our focus remains on the 2026 power unit program, and that remains the same after this news, with full throttle continues to move forward.
“Like any good company or any good racing team, there's always a succession plan and you're always training and developing people within the organization. That's no different in this case. He's a great guy, so No disrespect to Adrian at all, but every team has a succession plan.”
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Why Adrian Newey decided to retire from F1
There is much speculation about Newey potentially joining another team on the grid, but the British designer has yet to announce any plans other than leaving Red Bull and F1.
In his only recorded interview since confirming his departure, Newey told Sky F1 that he had been contemplating leaving for some time, and said the 2021 season had been particularly difficult.
Although it was the year in which he suffered a serious head injury in a bicycle accident, 2021 was the final year of the old regulations and was also the period for the development of the revolutionary 2022 regulations, so Newey is committed to the ongoing development of regulations. had to concentrate on. While continuing to use the RB16B until the end of the championship, we also polished off the new ground effects RB18 machine.
“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.'”
There was speculation that Newey's departure had been hastened by his falling out with Horner, but subsequent public statements from both sides expressed mutual admiration and the extent of their relationship.
“We have had a great relationship and continue to have a great relationship,” Horner said.
“We are friends and colleagues, and he has contributed so much to this team.
“It's sad to see him leave, but he leaves on good terms and we have a team of great talent and strength and depth to take us forward.
“My journey with Adrian has been amazing. He is a friend and godfather to my children and we will remain friends.”
Regarding the upcoming 2026 regulations, Newey said he could not rule out the possibility of regulatory involvement, perhaps on a competitive basis.
“If you look at the 26-year regulation, it looks like a bit of a strange regulation at this point,” he said.
“But I think it’s too early to ignore that and say it’s not good.
“As a designer, there always comes a time when you first see something for what it is and form an opinion about whether it’s good or bad.
“I am sure that 2026 will be a big challenge.
“Whether I'm part of it or not. I really don't know. But it's going to be a big challenge for everyone involved.”