Max Verstappen, the race winner, expressed his lack of surprise at Red Bull’s decision to release Formula 1 designer Adrian Newey from his contract earlier than expected. Verstappen believed it would be unfair to keep Newey on the team when he had already contributed so much to their success. He acknowledged the mutual respect between Newey and Red Bull and expressed gratitude for Newey’s contributions over the years.
Newey, despite being under contract until 2025, will be allowed to join a rival team in the first quarter of next season. This will give him the opportunity to work on the next generation F1 cars, set to debut in 2026. Although Verstappen was not directly involved in the decision-making process, he understood the logic behind it and respected the team’s decision.
There are rumors about Newey’s possible destinations, including Aston Martin and Ferrari. Aston Martin’s proposal was reportedly turned down, and Williams team principal James Vowles had preliminary discussions with Newey. However, Ferrari seems to be the most likely option for Newey, considering their previous attempts to recruit him. Verstappen acknowledged that Ferrari could greatly benefit from Newey’s expertise, especially with the upcoming technical rule changes.
When asked if Newey’s possible move to a competitor would cause issues for Red Bull, Verstappen admitted uncertainty. He believed that Newey’s experience and knowledge could be advantageous for any team he joined. However, the impact of his influence would depend on the timing of his move and how much the cars for the following year had already been designed. Regardless, Verstappen recognized that Newey’s knowledge and expertise would be valuable for any team, especially with the introduction of new regulations.
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