Red Bull's Newey transitions to RB17 Project

Red Bull's Newey transitions to RB17 project as F1 teams circle

Adrian Newey, Formula 1's design maestro, set to complete Red Bull hypercar amid speculation of F1 return

Adrian Newey, one of Formula 1's most prolific designers, is entering a new phase in his illustrious career as he shifts focus from Red Bull's F1 operations to overseeing the completion of the RB17 hypercar project.

This transition comes as Newey prepares to officially become a free agent after the first quarter of 2025, sparking interest from rival F1 teams eager to secure his services.

Red Bull's blessing for RB17 completion

Despite no longer being involved in Red Bull's F1 endeavors, Newey has received full support from the team to see the RB17 hypercar through to its conclusion.

The project, which began in early 2021, is set for a reveal at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed, marking a significant milestone in Newey's tenure with Red Bull.

Reflecting on the project's significance, Newey told Formula 1:

"As it's turned out, yes. I mean, it was never intended that way, of course. When we started the car in very early 2021, I never kind of even considered that I would be no longer with the team come '25, or going into Q2 of '25, so in that sense yes, it is."

Newey's commitment to the hypercar

The renowned designer emphasized his dedication to the RB17, highlighting the extensive effort he has invested in the project.

"I've really put a lot of time into this in terms of evenings and weekends, trying to fit it in with F1,"

Newey explained.

"I certainly want to see it through to completion. The shareholders at Red Bull, Christian [Horner, Red Bull team principal], everybody else is very supportive of that, so I will be still involved on this side of things."

Current focus and future plans

With his F1 duties winding down, Newey is now able to concentrate fully on the RB17's development. He outlined the crucial stage the project is currently in, stating,

"We're in a very important stage of RB17 now in terms of detail drawing release. We've still got some aerodynamic work to do on the parts that haven't been fixed yet."

The transition also allows Newey some well-deserved rest.

"At the same time, [I can] also take a bit of holiday time. I've been kind of in the business pretty much non-stop for a long time now, so having a little bit of a break is nice!"

he added.

F1 teams on alert

As Newey's official departure from Red Bull approaches, several top F1 teams have been linked with moves to bring him back to the sport. Ferrari, Aston Martin, and McLaren are all reportedly interested in securing Newey's services, recognizing the potential game-changing impact his expertise could bring to their respective programs.

Newey's future in Formula 1

When pressed about the possibility of another stint in F1, Newey remained coy, emphasizing his passion for design over the allure of competition.

"Ultimately, it's not why I do the job,"

he said.

"From the age of 10 or 11, I always wanted to be a designer in motor racing, and I've managed to achieve that, so everything else is a bonus really."

He further elaborated on his motivations:

"My passion has always been trying to add performance to cars, to race cars, so the rest is, of course, part of it, but it's not what wakes me up and motivates me."

As the Formula 1 world watches with keen interest, Newey's next move remains uncertain.

Whether he chooses to return to the pinnacle of motorsport or pursue new challenges outside of F1, his impact on the sport and automotive design is undeniable.