Adrian Newey, the renowned Formula 1 car designer responsible for Red Bull Racing’s championship-winning cars, is stepping away from the sport. Newey said he has “no plan” to join a rival team after he leaves Red Bull in early 2025. He noted that Formula 1 had become “all-consuming” and that he needed some time to “take stock of life.”
Reflecting on his departure, Newey shared that he had been contemplating the decision for a while. “2021 was a really busy year because of the tight battle with Mercedes through the championship, and at the same time putting all the research and development into the RB18,” he said. “I don’t know, there comes a point where I just felt, as Forrest Gump said, ‘I’m feeling a little bit tired’.'”
When asked about the timing, he said, “[He has been thinking about it for] A little while now, if I am honest. I guess over the winter a little bit, and then as events have unfolded this year, I thought… I am in the very lucky position where I don’t need to work to live. I work because I enjoy it, and it felt now is a good time to step back, take a little bit of a break, and take stock of life.”
Despite interest from Ferrari, Newey has not committed to any future team plans. “Right now, there is no plan,” he said. Instead, he’s focusing on some much-needed relaxation.
“Mandy, my wife, and the dogs, we’ll probably go traveling. Get a motorhome or something and go down through France and just enjoy life,” he mentioned. “Then maybe at some point, I don’t know when, I’ll be standing in the shower and saying right, this is going to be the next adventure.”
Formula 1 drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, have expressed admiration for Newey’s talents. When Hamilton, who joins Ferrari in 2025, said that Newey would be at the top of his list of people to work with in F1, the design genius was grateful.
“Honestly, it is very kind of Lewis to say that, and I am very flattered. But at the moment, it is just time to take a little bit of a break and see what happens next.”
While Newey will continue working on his RB17 hypercar project, he is leaving the door open for a future return to Formula 1. However, for now, he’s content to enjoy some downtime.
“It’s just time to take a little bit of a break and see what happens next,” he concluded.
