Could Adrian Newey Take a Break from Formula 1?
Adrian Newey, the renowned Formula 1 designer, has recently made headlines with the announcement of his departure from Red Bull in 2025. This move has opened the door to possibilities of joining a new team ahead of the regulation shake-up in 2026.
The 65-year-old legend has been linked to potential moves to Ferrari or Aston Martin, with whom he has expressed interest in working with drivers Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton. The sentiments have been reciprocated by the drivers, who have stated it would be a privilege to work with him.
Newey’s remarkable career spans over 40 years, boasting 13 drivers’ championships and 12 constructors’ championships across three teams. His salary is reportedly around £15 million, and his role at Red Bull has evolved into a more hands-off position, dedicating around 50% of his time to Formula 1.
“I think Adrian is a unicorn … he’s very special, maybe exists once.” – Lawrence Stroll, Aston Martin owner
Newey’s passion for cars began at a young age, and he would often create scale models using metal working equipment from his father’s garage. He went on to study aeronautics and astronautics and began his career in the early 1980s, joining March/Leyton House before moving to Williams in the early 1990s.
At Williams, Newey worked alongside Patrick Head, and together they became integral to the team’s success during that era. He designed the 1992 Williams-Renault FW14B, which won the drivers’ championship with Nigel Mansell.
Newey later moved to McLaren, where he won the drivers’ championship with Mika Hakkinen in 1998. He joined Red Bull in 2006 and has since become the most successful car designer in the modern era, winning multiple championships with Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.
Despite Formula 1’s rapid technological advancements over the past 40 years, Newey prefers traditional methods, stating, “I use a drawing board because to me it’s the language I’m most comfortable, most fluid in.”
Newey has also worked on passion projects outside of Formula 1, including the Aston Martin Valkyrie, a performance car with F1 technology that is road legal. The Valkyrie will race in Le Mans in 2025.
When asked about his future plans, Newey expressed his desire for a break, stating, “It’s been 18 years, an amazing ride… I’ve been at it for a long time now… there comes a point where, as Forest Gump said ‘I’m feeling a little bit tired.'” However, the challenge of regulation changes seems to still excite him, boding well for what’s to come in 2026.
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