Verstappen: Newey's departure won't alter my future at Red Bull

Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool

Verstappen downplays impact of Newey's departure: "It's not as dramatic as it seems" — Red Bull's future remains bright.

Miami, FL – In a significant development for Formula 1's reigning champions, Red Bull Racing, it has been confirmed that Adrian Newey, the design mastermind behind the team’s success, will be departing in early 2025. Yet, star driver Max Verstappen remains assured this shift will not impact his stay with the team, emphasizing that the departure is "not as dramatic as it seems.".

This announcement marks the conclusion of Newey’s pivotal 19-year tenure at Red Bull, during which he played an essential role in transforming the team into a dominant force on the F1 circuit. Over the years, Newey had stepped back from day-to-day operations, focusing more on a strategic role as chief technical officer, which has set the stage for his upcoming departure.

Ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, Verstappen addressed the media regarding Newey’s upcoming exit: "Not at the moment... the rest people are making up a lot of stuff because they don't understand how the roles are in the team. But of course I cannot deny I would have preferred him to stay. Just for how he is as a person."

The Dutch driver expressed his trust in the current team's capabilities, "If someone really wants to leave they should leave, that's what I wrote to him, if you think that is the right decision for yourself and your family, you have to do it," Verstappen stated, acknowledging the personal nature of Newey’s career decision.

Red Bull Racing, well-anticipated Newey’s departure, has proactively extended technical director Pierre Wache's contract in a move believed to ensure continuity in the technical team.

Verstappen remains confident in the robust framework of Red Bull Racing. He elaborated, "Of course from when he started at Red Bull, Adrian was incredibly important for the success they had... A lot of good people came into the team that have strengthened that whole department. Of course, I would have preferred him to stay for sure because you can always rely on his experience and just as a person he is a great guy to chat to and relate to."

The broader F1 community is rife with speculation on Newey's next move, with sources indicating interest from Ferrari and Aston Martin. Notably, Newey has previously expressed a desire to collaborate with F1 icons Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso—an aspiration that could soon be fulfilled, as Hamilton is set to join Ferrari in 2025, while Alonso remains with Aston Martin until 2026.

As F1 looks to the future, Verstappen’s confidence in his team underscores Red Bull's preparedness to maintain its competitive edge in the face of change. Despite external perceptions, the core strength of Red Bull Racing appears as resilient as ever.

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