Red Bull’s design chief Adrian Newey to leave Formula 1 team over Christian Horner scandal

Adrian Newey is reportedly set to leave his design chief role at Red Bull after almost two decades.

The 65-year-old has been with the Formula 1 team since 2006, but is poised to depart Red Bull before his contract expires next year.

That is according to BBC Sport, who have stated he is on his way out following the Christian Horner scandal.

Red Bull team principal Horner was cleared of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ towards a female colleague.

It has been claimed that Newey has been left ‘unsettled’ by the situation, and will now look to leave.

BBC claim that despite his contract coming to an end in 2025, he believes he negotiate an exit that would allow him to join a new team for next season.

Newey has been linked with a move to Ferrari, who are already looking ahead to 2025.

Lewis Hamilton will be joining from Mercedes as Ferrari look to win a first Drivers Championship and Constructors’ Championship since 2007 and 2008 respectively.

Newey fuelled rumours of an exit earlier this month when speaking to racingnews365.

He said of his future: “I enjoy [it]. Ever since I was 10 or so, certainly by 12, I wanted to be a designer.

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“I don’t think I knew the word ‘engineer’ – in motor racing and, ideally, Formula 1.

“That’s what I [put] all my teenage years towards. I managed to get that first job in motor racing when I graduated.

“I’ve hugely enjoyed it, and I continue to enjoy it.

“So I think as long as I continue to enjoy it and the team wants me then I’ll continue to do it for the moment.

“And then we’ll have to see in the future. I don’t tend to plan too far forward.”