In a move that’s sent tremors through the Formula 1 world, legendary designer Adrian Newey is parting ways with Red Bull Racing after an astonishing 19-year partnership that yielded 13 world championships and 120 race victories. The 65-year-old engineering maestro is set to join Aston Martin at the start of 2025, donning the British racing green and leaving Red Bull scrambling to fill an irreplaceable void.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner didn’t mince words when reacting to Aston Martin’s flamboyant announcement of Newey’s arrival. “Yes, it was obviously a large announcement by Aston,” Horner remarked to the press, including Total-Motorsport.com. “Adrian has always tended to do his own thing. It was a big moment for that team, and they chose to celebrate it, perhaps slightly prematurely, before he’s finished his contract with Red Bull Racing.
Horner’s frustration was palpable, hinting that Aston Martin should have waited until Newey’s contract expired before unveiling one of the most significant signings in modern F1 history. The timing of the announcement has added fuel to an already fiery situation, especially considering Newey has been absent from Red Bull’s F1 operations since before the Miami Grand Prix.
Comparisons have been drawn to Ferrari’s recent announcement of Lewis Hamilton’s signing for 2025. However, unlike Newey, Hamilton wasn’t present at Maranello during the reveal, suggesting a more respectful approach to contractual obligations.
“Adrian’s obviously a very creative guy,” Horner continued, barely concealing his irritation. “He’s not your average designer. I think he’s the only person still in Formula 1 working on a drawing board. Inevitably, there will be a process of getting to know each other, how each other works, and so on. But he’s unique in many respects, and Aston will obviously look to draw upon his huge, huge experience.”
Despite the evident tension, Horner attempted to assure journalists that the split wasn’t acrimonious, even as Red Bull endures one of its most challenging seasons while still leading both F1 championships—a paradox that’s not lost on the team or its fans.
“Well, it wasn’t a great surprise,” Horner admitted. “It was becoming clearer that this was the route he was going to go, rather than into retirement or any other team. It’ll be a new challenge for him, and we’ll be sad to see him go when he leaves next year but wish him all the best for the future.”
In a final note that seemed both conciliatory and defiant, Horner added, “We look back with great fondness on the almost 20 years we spent together—the highs and lows during that period—but we look forward to the future. And I think we’re well-positioned for that.”
As the dust settles on this seismic shift, questions remain about how Red Bull will cope without the visionary who helped define its dominance. One thing is certain: the 2025 season just got a whole lot more interesting.
