In a decisive move, reigning World Champion Max Verstappen has urged his team, Red Bull, to accept and adapt to the departure of Adrian Newey, their acclaimed technical ace, who has recently joined the ranks of their Formula 1 competitors, Aston Martin. Verstappen’s resolute stance is a clear message to the team that it’s time to move forward, that dwelling on Newey’s exit is not constructive.
Newey, a technical virtuoso who had been integral to the Red Bull team, severed his association with the Milton Keynes-based entity last May. His shift to Aston Martin as their Managing Technical Partner marks a new chapter in his career. Aston Martin welcomed Newey to his new position earlier this week, following a period of gardening leave that had been in effect since the announcement of his departure in September.
Despite the gaping void left by Newey, Verstappen has shown unwavering faith in Red Bull’s technical team, led by their long-serving Technical Director, Pierre Wache. Wache has taken the helm of the team’s latest project, the RB21, demonstrating the team’s determination to prevail even without Newey.
“Let’s not overthink it,” Verstappen advised during a BBC interview, referring to Newey’s departure, “It’s a done deal. He’s no longer with us, and that’s the reality we faced all of last year. I have full confidence in the team we have now. We must pull together and prove our resilience.”
While acknowledging Newey’s significant contributions to the team, Verstappen also underscored the importance of collective effort in achieving success, emphasizing that it’s a “team sport.” Despite the change, Verstappen expressed excitement for Newey’s new venture and admitted maintaining a great professional relationship with him.
Though Verstappen’s future with Red Bull has been a subject of speculation, with rumors swirling about a potential switch to Aston Martin, the Dutch driver remains focused on the present. When asked about the possibility of driving a Newey-designed car, Verstappen responded, “That’s a thought for the future, not for now.”
Red Bull, on the other hand, has been grappling with performance issues. The team concluded its pre-season testing in Bahrain last week, conceding that they are not yet ready to take on McLaren, despite the advancements made with the RB21. This admission puts a spotlight on Verstappen’s future with the team, especially if the team fails to provide a championship-worthy car.
While Verstappen’s potential move to Aston Martin remains speculative, he has previously hinted at a reunion with Newey down the line. Nonetheless, Verstappen remains committed to Red Bull, and his message to the team is clear: it’s time to move on from Newey’s departure and focus on the journey ahead.