Adrian Newey maintains a positive stance during his first official interview after announcing his departure from the Red Bull Formula 1 team. He acknowledged that the recent turbulence surrounding the team influenced his decision. Throughout the interview, Newey seemed confident and in control of his future in F1.
Speaking with Martin Brundle of Sky before the Miami Grand Prix sprint qualifying, Newey’s interview was not groundbreaking, as he had already been extensively quoted in the Red Bull press release about the split. However, it was the first time he was publicly questioned by a member of the media since then.
Newey expressed his admiration for his time at Red Bull, describing it as an “amazing journey” and a “tremendous honor” to work with everyone there. When asked about his decision to leave during a successful season, he stuck to the explanation that he needed a break, as his manager Eddie Jordan emphasized in a recent podcast.
He explained: “Formula 1 is something that consumes everything. I’ve been involved for a long time. 2021 was particularly hectic due to the intense battle with Mercedes for the championship and the development of the RB18 car, which laid the foundation for this generation of cars. But, as Forrest Gump said, there comes a time when I start to feel a little tired.”
When Brundle pressed for more details on the timeline of his decision, Newey’s mention of the “events” of 2024 implied that the controversy surrounding team principal Christian Horner had played a role in his choice to leave. Newey admitted that he had been considering his departure for some time.
He said: “To be honest, this has been on my mind for a while. During the winter, I started thinking about it, and as things unfolded this year, I realized that I am fortunate enough to not work out of necessity, but because I enjoy it. So, I felt that now was a good time to step back, rest, evaluate my life, and travel a bit.”
While speculations about which team will hire Newey for 2025 fill the F1 paddock, he mentioned that his immediate plan is to travel around France in a motorhome with his wife and dogs. However, he did not hide the fact that he is open to a new change within F1.
He commented: “Maybe at some point, I may have a sudden realization while I’m in the shower and think: ‘Now, this will be the next adventure.’ But, at the moment, I don’t have a plan.” When Brundle suggested designing a car for the 2026 regulations, Newey expressed his pleasure with the regulation changes.
Although Ferrari is seen as the favorite to hire Newey, he ruled out any decision at this time. He appreciated Lewis Hamilton’s kind words about wanting him at Ferrari, but emphasized that his focus is on taking a break and seeing what the future holds.
