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Dr Helmut Marko explains why Red Bull allowed Adrian Newey to get out of his contract, and adds he expects him to join another team “after a period of reflection”.
On Wednesday, Red Bull announced that their Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey will leave the team in early 2025.
Newey signed a contract extension with Red Bull in 2023, which was supposed to expire at the end of 2025 and reportedly included a one-year ‘non-compete clause’.
This means that he would not be able to go to another team until 2027 at the earliest, well into the era of new F1 regulations that will start in 2026.
However, not only did Newey’s team negotiate an early release, but he will also not have to serve this period of ‘gardening leave’, and will be able to start work with a different team immediately after his Red Bull exit in early 2025.
Ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, Red Bull’s advisor Dr Helmut Marko explained why the team allowed Newey to get out of his contract early.
“If the motivation is no longer there, then it is a kind of burn-out for him,” Marko told Sky Germany.
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“Then you have to accept that. Because of his incredible performance at Red Bull Racing, a mutually acceptable solution was found for the termination of the contract.
“Newey’s departure is of course painful. He is the best designer in Formula 1 and he is highly respected as a human being.
“But on the other hand, we have such a broadly composed technical team, now led by Pierre Waché, including young talent. So I don’t see any problems in performance that we are going to disappoint.”
While Newey himself said he plans on getting some rest before even considering a return to Formula 1, Marko believes a return with a different team is inevitable.
“After a period of reflection, I am afraid he will have the spirit and hunger again and then he will be available again for another team.
“His greatest strength has actually always been when there are changes in the regulations and now, thank god, that is not until 2026.
“Until then, I am convinced that our current team brings the necessary experience and knowledge to ensure that we remain competitive.
“But of course it is a weakening psychologically.”
After the announcement of Newey’s departure, many have started question Max Verstappen’s own future with Red Bull, with Mercedes mentioned as the Dutch driver’s most likely destination.
However, Marko says Verstappen will remain with Red Bull for now.
“Max will go to the team where he thinks he can get the best technical package. At the moment, that is at Red Bull Racing.
“Next year there are no different rules either, so I assume he will still drive for us,” the Austrian concluded.
