Adrian Newey's F1 Creations: The Best and Worst of an F1 Legend

Adrian Newey’s F1 Creations: The Best and Worst of an F1 Legend

Adrian Newey stands as the most successful designer in Formula 1 history, with a portfolio spanning four decades and an unmatched influence on car design. Known for creating cars that have dominated the sport, Newey’s creations have not always been guaranteed successes. Here’s a look at the top five and bottom five cars from his illustrious career.

Top Five Adrian Newey Cars:

1. Red Bull RB19 (2023): The RB19 is not just Newey’s most successful car but arguably the most dominant in F1 history. Despite restrictive rules designed to prevent any single team from gaining a significant advantage, Red Bull’s RB19 achieved unparalleled success in the 2023 season. Built on the foundations laid by its predecessor, the RB18, the car showcased Newey’s ability to exploit a restrictive rule set creatively and effectively. Red Bull’s success with the RB19 was so complete that it defied the budget cap regulations.

2. Red Bull RB7 (2011): A masterpiece that embodied Newey’s approach to car design, the RB7 combined efficient aerodynamics with innovative exhaust-blown diffusers. The car dominated the 2011 season, securing 12 wins out of 19 races and helping Red Bull clinch both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships.

3. Williams FW14B (1992): Often regarded as one of the greatest cars of all time, the FW14B featured groundbreaking active suspension, traction control, and a semi-automatic gearbox. This technological marvel won 10 of the 16 races in 1992 and secured the Drivers’ Championship for Nigel Mansell and the Constructors’ Championship for Williams.

4. McLaren MP4/13 (1998): The MP4/13 marked a return to dominance for McLaren after a period of struggle. Designed with a focus on aerodynamics and powered by a Mercedes engine, the car won nine races and delivered the 1998 Drivers’ Championship to Mika Häkkinen and the Constructors’ Championship to McLaren.

5. Red Bull RB9 (2013): This car completed a run of four consecutive world championships for Red Bull from 2010 to 2013. With Newey’s expertise in aerodynamics and innovative design, the RB9 was a powerhouse, particularly in the latter half of the season.

Bottom Five Adrian Newey Cars:

1. McLaren MP4/18 (2003): The MP4/18 was an ambitious project that never made it to the race due to reliability issues and a string of crashes during testing. Its failure led to the team continuing with its predecessor, the MP4/17D.

2. Williams FW16 (1994): The FW16 was an underwhelming car that failed to replicate the success of its predecessors, partially due to the banning of active suspension and other driver aids, leading to a lack of competitiveness.

3. Red Bull RB6 (2010): Although successful, the RB6 was highly fragile, with numerous mechanical and technical failures that cost Red Bull vital points, exposing some of Newey’s riskier design philosophies.

4. Leyton House CG901 (1990): An example of a talented designer working with limited resources, the CG901 showed flashes of brilliance but was ultimately unreliable and not competitive enough.

5.March 881 (1988): One of Newey’s early works, the March 881 had revolutionary aerodynamics but was plagued by engine reliability issues, showing that even genius needs a stable platform to thrive.

While Newey’s career has had its share of ups and downs, his contributions have undeniably pushed the boundaries of car design and reshaped the Formula 1 landscape.