Red Bull Motorsport Consultant Dr. Helmut Marko has candidly acknowledged the significant impact of Adrian Newey’s departure on the team’s performance. After dominating the early years of Formula 1’s ground-effect era, Red Bull faced unexpected struggles in 2024 following the aero mastermind’s move to Aston Martin.
A challenging transition
Adrian Newey, widely regarded as one of Formula 1’s greatest design minds, left Red Bull in May 2024, marking the end of a transformative era for the Austrian team. Newey’s departure coincided with a dip in Red Bull’s dominance, as the team faced difficulties maximizing performance from their car in the latter half of the season.
“We had started well, dominating,” Marko said. “But since Newey left, in fact, our technicians have had a little trouble getting the most out of the machine.”
Despite winning seven of the first ten races in 2024, Red Bull found themselves under increasing pressure from rivals McLaren and Ferrari as the season progressed.
Verstappen’s resilience and recovery
Even amidst the challenges, Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive drivers’ title, demonstrating his skill and Red Bull’s ability to adapt. Marko credited the team’s late-season improvements for reigniting optimism within the squad.
“At the end of the season, things have progressively gone in the right direction, and we can say that we are very optimistic for the future,” Marko added.
Filling Newey’s shoes
Newey’s influence on Red Bull’s success cannot be overstated, having been instrumental in designing the cars that propelled the team to dominance. While his departure leaves a considerable void, Red Bull boasts a talented pool of engineers who are stepping up to the challenge.
However, the timing of Newey’s exit—on the cusp of the 2026 regulation changes—adds pressure for Red Bull to maintain their edge in the evolving Formula 1 landscape.
Rivalry with Aston Martin heats up
Newey’s move to Aston Martin has also sparked intrigue, with the British team emerging as a serious contender. Helmut Marko’s admission highlights the strategic loss Red Bull faces, as Aston Martin looks to capitalize on Newey’s expertise.
What’s next for Red Bull?
As the 2025 season approaches, Red Bull must find ways to consolidate their strengths and address their weaknesses without Newey at the helm. With Verstappen still leading the charge and a wealth of engineering talent in-house, Marko remains cautiously optimistic.
“It’s far too difficult to fill the void left by someone like Newey, but we believe in our team’s ability to rise to the occasion,” Marko concluded.