Jos Verstappen warns of Red Bull collapse after Newey's exit

Red Bull Racing has confirmed that Adrian Newey, the team's legendary car designer, will depart "in the first quarter of 2025," marking the end of an era for the Milton Keynes-based outfit.

The news has drawn a strong reaction from Jos Verstappen, the father of Red Bull's star driver Max Verstappen, who fears the team is "in danger of falling apart."

Verstappen's concerns

Speaking to De Telegraaf, Jos Verstappen expressed his worries about the team's future, stating,

"The team is in danger of falling apart. I was afraid of that earlier this year. For internal peace, it is important that key people stay on board."

"That is not the case now. Newey is leaving, and earlier this year, it also looked like Helmut [Marko] would be sent away. For the future, that is not good."

Newey's legacy and impact

Adrian Newey's departure marks the end of an era for Red Bull Racing.

The 65-year-old car designer has been a driving force behind the team's success, playing a pivotal role in their journey from an upstart newcomer to a multiple title-winning team.

His expertise and innovative designs have been instrumental in shaping Red Bull's championship-winning cars.

Max Verstappen's perspective

While Max Verstappen has yet to react publicly to the news, the reigning world champion recently acknowledged the importance of retaining key personnel like Newey.

In a statement last month, Verstappen said,

"Having someone like Adrian, I think it's a massive boost for everyone, and many people work together to achieve the car we have today."

Newey's future plans

Newey himself has hinted at seeking new challenges, stating,

"I feel now is an opportune moment to hand that baton over to others and to seek new challenges for myself."

He has also negotiated his way out of his non-compete clause, potentially opening doors for him to join a rival team should he choose not to retire.

Transitional period ahead

As Red Bull Racing navigates this transitional period, Newey's focus will remain on the final stages of development for the RB17 car.

He expressed gratitude towards the team, stating,

"It has been a real privilege, and I am confident that the engineering team is well prepared for the work going into the final evolution of the car under the four-year period of this regulation set."

Red Bull after Newey

Despite the concerns raised by Jos Verstappen, Red Bull Racing has proven time and again its ability to adapt and overcome challenges.

The team's resilience and depth of talent will be put to the test as they prepare for a future without Adrian Newey's leadership.

However, the loss of such a pivotal figure undoubtedly represents a significant challenge for the team's long-term success.