The dramatic departure of the legendary Adrian Newey from Red Bull has left a bitter taste, with David Coulthard expressing disappointment over the manner in which the split unfolded. Coulthard, who played a crucial role in recruiting Newey to Red Bull, believes the separation could have been avoided.
Newey, a celebrated figure in the world of Formula 1 design, joined Red Bull in 2006 after achieving title success with Williams and McLaren. His illustrious tenure at Red Bull added significant weight to his legacy, with the team clinching 14 World titles under his design expertise.
However, his shocking exit was announced just prior to the 2024 Miami Grand Prix, marking an abrupt end to his association with their Formula 1 team. Newey concluded his Red Bull journey working on their RB17 hypercar project.
Coulthard, Red Bull’s first F1 driver and a key player who, along with team principal Christian Horner, facilitated Newey’s recruitment, voiced his discomfort over the situation on the Red Flags Podcast.
Coulthard reminisced, “When I came onboard Red Bull, my focus was on transforming the former Ford-owned, Jaguar-branded team into a future winning team. The idea of bringing Adrian on board didn’t cross my mind. It was Christian who suggested it.”
He continued, “The fact that Adrian stayed for approximately 16 to 17 years is commendable. This is without a doubt the longest he has stayed with any team. However, the way things fell apart was disheartening. I believe some may regret their actions when they look back.”
Coulthard pointed out that while contracts can be broken, open dialogues and a willingness to find solutions can often smooth out issues. He concluded, “Let’s celebrate the time Adrian spent with the team.”
Following his departure, Newey has already made a comeback to the Formula 1 paddock. He has taken on a new role as the managing technical partner at Aston Martin. This arrangement also includes shares in the team as part of the deal.
Coulthard disclosed the effort it took to persuade the late Dietrich Mateschitz, the founder of Red Bull Racing, to fund Newey’s recruitment. He recalled, “When Adrian showed interest, Mr. Mateschitz was reluctant to pay the asked amount. I argued that the investment would be worth it for someone I considered the top designer in the world. He finally agreed, and the rest is history.”
Coulthard, while wishing his friend good luck in his new venture, emphasized that Red Bull would continue to thrive with its 1000-strong workforce. He noted, “While it doesn’t hinge on one individual, the Brazilian Grand Prix 2024 showed the value of a chief designer and a number one driver as the most crucial investments any team can make.”
