Headaches for Red Bull: Adrian Newey Isn't Retiring Yet

Chris Teague
by Chris Teague

Formula 1 design guru Adrian Newey left Red Bull a couple of weeks ago, and the racing world has been on fire with speculation about his next move since. Though many believed he would ride off into the sunset on the strength of his multiple successful car designs, Newey recently told the BBC that he was giving serious thought to changing teams and spending another four or five years in the sport.


Newey’s departure from Red Bull won’t be a complete separation, as he will provide support at a few races for the remainder of the 2024 season. The team also confirmed that he would focus most of his efforts on its first road car, the RB17. However, he won’t have further involvement in the next-generation car’s design, which will be an immediate and significant blow to Red Bull’s program.


There’s no telling where he’ll end up, but for Red Bull, it’s the latest in a series of self-inflicted wounds, which kicked off with allegations about team principal and CEO Christian Horner. Rumors surrounding Newey leaving after that scandal heated up, citing personal issues with the team, though a reported power struggle between Red Bull’s two ownership groups likely played a role.


Formula 1 will undergo a major rules change for the 2026 season that will significantly impact how the cars operate. They will gain more electric power and rely on sustainable fuels. With the rules change, the sport also aims to reduce fuel usage from 100kg per race in 2020 to around 70kg.

[Image: motorsports Photographer/Shutterstock.com]

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Chris Teague
Chris Teague

Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.

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 4 comments
  • ToolGuy ToolGuy on May 16, 2024

    30% better fuel economy -- how long until this innovation makes it to the production vehicles?

  • Redapple2 Redapple2 on May 17, 2024

    2026 f1 cars. Even more crappie! Tune in!

    F1 is crap. Garbage racing.

    1 must use 2 types of tires

    2 cant refuel

    3 DRS - only in certain places. in certain situations. on certain days of the week. and....

    4 same team wins 90% of races.

    Go IMSA !!!! or Moto GP


    PS- Historic Monaco races last weekend were spectacular. All 10 hr on TV.

    • 1995 SC 1995 SC on May 18, 2024

      Ford and GM getting into the fray with engines at least though. I'll keep watching for that. It ain't the glory days anymore, but it beats NASCAR. I know, there are other entertaining series to watch F1 is fine


  • Bd2 Bd2 on May 17, 2024

    Hyundai's budding F1 program would welcome him.

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