HOW F1 TEAMS GOT ON AFTER NEWEY'S DEPARTURE

HOW F1 TEAMS GOT ON AFTER NEWEY’S DEPARTURE – AND WHAT RED BULL SHOULD EXPECT TO…read more

Adrian Newey’s move from Red Bull to Aston Martin has raised questions about how both teams will fare in his absence and presence. Newey is a renowned figure in Formula 1, with a legacy of success at Red Bull, where his engineering brilliance played a crucial role in the team’s dominance over the past decade. As he embarks on a new chapter at Aston Martin, his departure is bound to create ripples, both within the team he leaves behind and the one he joins.

This isn’t the first time Newey has switched teams, and his previous transitions provide some insight into what Red Bull and Aston Martin can expect. When Newey left McLaren for Red Bull in 2006, the team had just started its ascent, and his input quickly helped propel them to the front of the grid, delivering four consecutive drivers’ and constructors’ titles from 2010 to 2013. His influence at McLaren was similarly significant, but the team’s fortunes took a downturn after his departure. McLaren struggled to maintain the same competitive edge, facing challenges in developing a car that could match the pace of the top teams.

A similar fate could befall Red Bull, though the team’s current dominance with Max Verstappen behind the wheel and the overall strength of their current design might cushion the blow of Newey’s absence. His impact on Red Bull has been so profound that it’s hard to imagine a car design without his vision at its core. However, Red Bull’s engineering team is vast and well-resourced, and the team has shown resilience in adapting to changes over the years, so they may be able to weather this transition without a significant drop in performance. That said, losing a figure like Newey inevitably raises questions about the future of their car development, especially when the team is so heavily linked to his design genius.

On the other hand, Aston Martin is eagerly anticipating the benefits of Newey’s expertise. His focus at Aston Martin will initially center on shaping the team’s strategy for the 2026 F1 regulations, an area where his insight will be invaluable. While Aston Martin has made significant progress in recent seasons, Newey’s addition to the team is expected to accelerate its development. With the 2026 regulation changes being a major overhaul, his experience in adapting to new rules will help Aston Martin make informed decisions, ensuring they don’t fall behind the competition.

The challenge for Aston Martin will be integrating Newey’s philosophy and working style into their existing setup, while for Red Bull, it will be a case of continuing their successes without one of F1’s most brilliant minds driving their designs. Both teams will experience change, and only time will tell how they adapt to their new realities.