Newey leaving Red Bull easily? 'Real reason we will never know'

Guenther Steiner wonders if ever the reason for the relatively short gardening leave for Adrian Newey will surface. Besides, the former Haas team boss does have an idea what Newey's next team will be.

It was officially announced on Wednesday that Newey is leaving Red Bull Racing. The Brit will still work on the hypercar but is officially no longer involved with the F1 team. Newey will still work for Red Bull until the first quarter of 2025 when he will be free to go wherever he wants. So no extended gardening leave, despite Newey having a contract through 2025.

Newey on his way to Ferrari?

"I don't think we will ever know that reason why," Steiner told Sky Sports. "There must be something in his contract or maybe even, Adrian worked there for 18 years (19 years ed.), and I don't know how many world championships they win. His respect as well comes into other stages, like, ‘Okay, this is not working anymore, but I don't want to hinder you from moving on.'"

Steiner has a good relationship with Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur and so there is naturally the question of whether he already knows more? "I don't know. I don't think Fred will let me know about that one." Steiner does think Ferrari has a good chance of signing Adrian. "Absolutely. For sure, he's not missing offers to go to teams, but Ferrari for him. And it's one of those things also for Adrian, in respect to Adrian to go out Ferrari and to leave from there, it's pretty cool as well. It's a good story," Steiner concludes.