Max Verstappen and Red Bull are taking a step into the unknown for 2025. That’s because legendary designer Adrian Newey has officially left the team.
Newey joined Red Bull from McLaren back in 2006. This is just the second time in the team’s history that they’ll start the season without him on board, after their maiden campaign (2005).
Primary responsibility for car development will fall to technical director Pierre Wache. The Frenchman is looking to build his own legacy outside of Newey’s shadow.
Indeed, some Red Bull staff are ‘quite pleased’ that Newey left for similar reasons. They didn’t necessarily approve of his working methods.
According to reports, Newey was unhappy that Horner downplayed his influence. But if the team principal was painting an accurate picture, then the impact of his exit should be limited.
On the other hand, some tied Red Bull’s 2024 downturn in form to the 65-year-old’s resignation. If they remain behind McLaren and Ferrari this year, it will lend further credence to that theory.
Red Bull to take less ‘extreme’ approach with Max Verstappen front wing in 2025
With a similarly dominant car to 2023, Verstappen romped to four wins from the first five races last year. McLaren caught up in Miami, but the Dutchman was still able to extend his record to seven from 10.
But after taking the chequered flag in Spain, the world champion wouldn’t win again until Brazil. A title defence that was shaping up to be serene suddenly became intensely stressful.
Even though Verstappen won two of the final four Grands Prix last year, Red Bull were aware that they had to make fundamental changes to their car for 2025. And a report from RacingNews365 has outlined their new approach.
- READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend
Their engineers have concluded that they need a simpler aerodynamic philosophy. This should allow them to better manage the ‘airflow along the bodywork’.
One of the affected parts will be the front wing. Red Bull will move away from the ‘extreme’ 2024 design after determining that it was partly responsible for last year’s ‘crisis’.
Ultimately, the RB21 won’t be embracing any ‘special tricks’. It’s the final year of the current ruleset before an overhaul in 2026.
How Max Verstappen court hurt Red Bull car development for 2026 regulation changes
Red Bull will also welcome Liam Lawson to the team for 2025, having parted ways with Sergio Perez. Lawson only has 11 races of F1 experience, so the team may be more reliant on Verstappen than ever for technical feedback that can guide their development.
Horner praised Verstappen’s work with the engineers in 2024, confirming that he’d influenced the team’s direction. It’s part of the all-round package that makes him a great champion.
However, the team are facing a new dilemma. Red Bull could compromise their 2026 development, with potential long-term ramifications, if they choose to prioritise Verstappen’s title defence in the coming months.
