Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren – Firstpost

McLaren CEO Zak Brown believes the departure of top designer Adrian Newey from Red Bull could mark the start of an exodus from the world champion Formula 1 team. Red Bull confirmed this week that the highly respected Newey and successful, would leave the team at the beginning of 2025.

The move follows the long-running controversy surrounding allegations regarding the behavior of Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.

“I think what’s happening there is a little unsettling. This is probably the first domino to fall,” Brown said during a press conference at the Miami Grand Prix.

“I guess he’s not the last one, based on the CVs going around.”

Read:
Why Adrian Newey leaving Red Bull is a big deal and where can he go?

Horner was accused of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior by a female employee.

The team principal was cleared in February following an internal investigation by Red Bull’s parent company before the employee was suspended. She is appealing this decision.

Brown suggested Newey’s departure may have been linked to this saga, saying he was not shocked by the technician’s departure.

“Six months ago I would have been surprised. I think given everything that’s happened since the start of the year and knowing Adrian quite well, and him being a person of great integrity, I’m not surprised he’s moving on.” , did he declare.

“We have seen an increase in the number of CVs coming from the team and Adrian is the most successful designer of all time,” added Brown.

“People want to work for people like Adrian Newey. I think they’ll miss what he brings from a purely technical standpoint and they’ll miss the leadership and enthusiasm you get working with him.”

Brown did not rule out a move for Newey from McLaren but said he was “very happy” with his technical crew.

Horner previously dismissed the idea that Newey’s decision was the result of tensions within the team.

“Absolutely not. It’s been happening for a while,” he told Sky Sports.

“There was a discussion about 12 months ago that it might have been time for Adrian to consider taking a step back, so I know it’s been on his mind for some time. This is something we had to plan for.

The British Red Bull team has won six constructors’ titles and seven drivers’ titles, split between Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, with cars designed by Newey to date.

They are on course to achieve the double again in 2024, with Dutch driver Verstappen the dominant force in the sport.

Ferrari, soon to be joined by Lewis Hamilton, would be in pole position to field Newey, with the British driver saying on Thursday he would welcome such a development.