Adrian Newey has made a surprising move just weeks after it was announced that he will be leaving Red Bull next year. The 65-year-old, who is arguably the greatest technical mastermind in Formula One history, will step back from Red Bull in early 2025 after spending nearly two decades on their books.
Just over a week after Newey’s impending exit was confirmed, he was spotted behind the wheel of an F1 car as part of the Monaco Historique weekend. The event showcases classic F1 cars in a series of races held at the iconic street circuit, which will host the Monaco Grand Prix later this month.
Newey drove the Lotus 49B, which was designed by the legendary Colin Chapman and won F1 titles in 1968 and 1970. Wearing a Red Bull race suit, he was seen pulling off a few overtakes around the Monaco circuit and looked to be enjoying himself in a break from his usual schedule.
The Red Bull design guru has been unable to avoid the media spotlight over the last few weeks, having been at the centre of attention following the news of his decision to leave the team. Quizzed on the reaction to his impending exit at the Miami Grand Prix, Newey admitted to being a little taken aback by it all.
« I’m surprised, to be honest, » he told Sky Sports. « I mean, I’ve been doing the job I’ve always wanted to since I was a kid. That’s my passion, and I enjoy working with the drivers, the engineers in the team, all the other mechanics at the factory.
« That’s what gets me up and motivates me. The kind of other side of it is something [which] I guess comes as part of the package, but not something I ever think about. So it has been a bit of a shock and a surprise almost. »
It remains to be seen where Newey will end up next, with Ferrari having been touted as a potential destination for him ahead of the 2025 season. They have tried and failed to sign him on a number of occasions, with their latest attempt coming shortly before the pandemic when they offered to more than double his Red Bull salary.
Newey reflected on his decision to reject Ferrari‘s advances in his book, How To Build A Car, writing: « I didn’t want to walk out of Red Bull because it feels like home and I’d been heavily involved from the start with Christian [Horner] building the team up from the ashes of Jaguar to where it was today.
« I didn’t want to walk out on that but equally I didn’t want to be in a position where we were operating with one hand tied behind our back in the engine department. It was a very difficult decision. Ferrari came up with an incredible offer, very attractive, and it caused me a lot of sleepless nights deciding what to do and who to go for. »
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