Christian Horner loses Red Bull brain as world champions confirm Adrian Newey will leave, a blow for the team… with a move to Ferrari and a rapprochement with Lewis Hamilton

Adrian Newey was today officially released early from his Red Bull contract, allowing him to take a job at Ferrari ahead of new regulations expected to be introduced in 2026.

A move to Italy would see F1’s most famous designer join forces with Lewis Hamilton, who will join the Scuderia next year.

That deal has yet to be finalized, but it is understood that Newey, 65, is being sought by Ferrari to act as a “super consultant.” He currently earns £15 million a year at Red Bull and could double his salary with this potential move.

The development is a blow to world champion team and embattled boss Christian Horner, the team principal who brought Newey from McLaren to Red Bull almost 20 years ago. Since then, they have won seven drivers’ titles in two stints, thanks to Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.

Newey will continue to attend races this season, including in Miami this weekend. He will continue to work on his beloved RB17 supercar project before leaving the company next spring.

Red Bull has confirmed the imminent departure of F1’s most successful designer, Adrian Newey.

Team boss Christian Horner (pictured with wife Geri Halliwell) will have to do without the brains behind Red Bull’s design.

Newey is a legendary F1 designer and could call upon his services at Ferrari after his departure

Red Bull insists Newey’s departure is not directly linked to the sex scandal which has engulfed the team since allegations of coercive behavior were made against Horner in February, but is driven by growing resentment over the fact that he was not fully credited for the team’s success. .

He was also close to resigning last year, but instead signed an improved offer.

The scandal – in which Horner was cleared but appealed – shook things up again. It is understood that Newey felt that Horner was hogging too much attention and that his own contribution to the design was unequally shared with his French colleague, Pierre Wache.

Newey’s upcoming availability is a huge boost for Hamilton, 39, as he targets a record eighth title, this time in red. Newey is the greatest design guru Formula 1 has ever known, having triumphed with Williams, starting with Nigel Mansell’s victory in 1992, and McLaren, before being poached by Red Bull.

He was the nerdy genius behind a mind-blowing 25 drivers’ and constructors’ titles.

Mail Sport understands Newey will join Ferrari – the most likely outcome – or retire. There is no other team he could join.

“Ever since I was a young boy, I wanted to become a designer of fast cars. My dream was to become a Formula 1 engineer, and I was lucky enough to make that dream a reality. For almost two decades, it has been my great honor to have played a key role in Red Bull Racing’s progression from newcomer to multi-title team.

“However, I believe this is an opportune time to pass the baton to others and to set myself new challenges. In the meantime, the final stages of development of the RB17 are upon us, so for the rest of my time with the team, I will focus on that.

Horner paid tribute to ‘real legend’ and ‘friend’ Newey as world champions confirmed his exit

The Red Bull chief, who won seven world championships with Newey, paid tribute to the outgoing veteran

Newey could now join Lewis Hamilton (pictured) at Ferrari in his bid to win an eighth world title

“I would like to thank the many extraordinary people I have worked with at Red Bull during our journey over the past 18 years for their talent, dedication and hard work. This has been a real privilege and I am confident that the engineering team is well prepared for the work leading to the final evolution of the car within the four-year period of these regulations.

“On a personal note, I would also like to thank the shareholders, the late Dietrich Mateschitz, Mark Mateschitz and Chalerm Yoovidhya for their unwavering support during my time at Red Bull, and Christian, who has not only been my business partner but also a friend to our respective families. Thanks also to Oliver Mintzlaff for his management and to Eddie Jordan, my close friend and manager.

Horner added: “All of our greatest moments over the last 20 years have come with Adrian’s hand on the technical bar. His vision and genius helped us win 13 titles in 20 seasons. His exceptional ability to conceptualize beyond F1 and bring broader inspiration to grand prix car design, his remarkable talent for embracing change and finding the most rewarding areas of the rules to focus on, and his The relentless drive to win helped Red Bull. Running to become a force greater than even the late Dietrich Mateschitz could have imagined, I think.

“More than that, the last 19 years with Adrian have been extremely fun. For me, when Adrian joined Red Bull, he was already a superstar designer. Two decades and 13 championships later, he leaves as a true legend. He is also my friend and someone to whom I will be forever grateful for all he has brought to our partnership. The legacy he leaves behind will echo through the halls of Milton Keynes and the RB17 Track Car will be a testament and. a fitting legacy of his time with us.