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Red Bull Faces New Era Without Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley: Christian Horner Denies Rebuild

Harry Bright by Harry Bright
January 15, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Verstappen Defends Red Bull with Tumultuous Season, Downplays Newey Exit as Root Cause

ZANDVOORT, NETHERLANDS - AUGUST 27: Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner, Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing, Adrian Newey, the Chief Technical Officer of Red Bull Racing and Red Bull Racing Team Consultant Dr Helmut Marko look on in the garage during a red flag delay during the F1 Grand Prix of The Netherlands at Circuit Zandvoort on August 27, 2023 in Zandvoort, Netherlands. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202308270685 // Usage for editorial use only //

Red Bull Racing is entering 2025 without two of its most influential figures, Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley, marking the end of an era for the team. Despite their departures, Team Principal Christian Horner has dismissed suggestions of a ‘rebuild,’ instead emphasizing the team’s depth and strategic evolution as it prepares for the challenges ahead.


Newey and Wheatley’s Legacy Ends at Red Bull

Adrian Newey, the mastermind behind Red Bull’s technical dominance, officially departed the team in May 2024. After completing work on the RB17 hypercar, Newey is set to join Aston Martin in March 2025 as Managing Technical Partner. Meanwhile, Jonathan Wheatley, Red Bull’s long-serving Sporting Director, is on gardening leave ahead of becoming Team Principal at Sauber/Audi.

Both individuals were integral to Red Bull’s rise as a Formula 1 powerhouse. However, Horner insists their exits were part of a long-term plan rather than an unexpected shakeup.

“Adrian left in Miami [May 2024], so he’s not been working on any F1 projects since,” Horner told Motorsport.com. “Jonathan will step off the pit wall in 2025, but other than that, everything remains the same. I would say rebuild goes way too far for two people that have left. It’s evolution.”


Shifting Gears: Red Bull’s Internal Promotions

To mitigate the loss of Newey and Wheatley, Red Bull has implemented a series of internal promotions. These changes are designed to maintain stability while providing growth opportunities for key personnel:

  1. Gianpiero Lambiase (Max Verstappen’s Race Engineer)
    Lambiase has been promoted to Head of Racing, taking on a broader role while continuing to guide Verstappen during races. Horner confirmed, “Yes, he’ll still be working directly with Max.”
  2. Stephen Knowles (Former Senior Strategy Engineer)
    Knowles steps up as Head of Sporting Regulations, assuming many of Wheatley’s former responsibilities, including liaising with the FIA to ensure compliance.
  3. Richard Wolverson (Senior Engineer of Car Engineering)
    Wolverson is now Head of Racing Operations, overseeing trackside logistics and performance.

“These changes represent natural progression,” said Horner. “It’s great because it gives long-standing team members the opportunity to step up. Sometimes, if an organization remains stagnant, it fails to progress.”


Looking Ahead: The 2026 Challenge

While Newey’s departure marks a significant shift, Red Bull’s attention is firmly on its ambitious 2026 power unit project. The team’s in-house development, in collaboration with Ford, is expected to be the most challenging technical endeavor in its history.

“What we’re gearing up for in 2026 with our own power unit is by far the biggest challenge this team has ever taken on,” Horner said. “This is where our strength and depth will truly come into play.”


Balancing Change with Continuity

Horner’s emphasis on “evolution” over “rebuild” reflects his confidence in Red Bull’s ability to adapt. While the loss of figures like Newey and Wheatley is significant, Horner views the promotions of Lambiase, Knowles, and Wolverson as opportunities to inject fresh energy into the team.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for many people in the team who deserve that chance,” Horner stated. “The show goes on.”


Can Red Bull Maintain Its Dominance?

As the 2025 season unfolds, Red Bull faces the challenge of maintaining its competitive edge without two of its most influential architects. With Max Verstappen still leading the charge and a revamped leadership structure, the team appears poised to navigate this transitional period.

However, the true test will come in 2026, as Red Bull’s maiden in-house power unit project takes center stage. Whether the team can replicate its past success without Newey and Wheatley will shape the next chapter of its F1 legacy.

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