Newey on his way out: Red Bull say they don't know anything yet

Red Bull Racing may have to look for a new chief technical officer. According to several sources, Newey has informed the team that he wants to leave. The top designer is reportedly done with all the turmoil in the background and has set his sights on a move to Ferrari. The question remains as to how long his gardening leave will last.

Red Bull Racing claim to know nothing about it yet. The team told GPblog that Adrian Newey has a contract until the end of 2025. Red Bull Racing state they are unaware of Newey joining another team (Ferrari).

That response, however, leaves some wiggle room. The team states that they are unaware of a switch to another team, but Newey might have informed the team that he wants to leave. The fact that Newey has made this known is becoming increasingly clear with more and more sources, including Sky Sports. Newey is said to have shared this news with 'senior management'.

When can Newey leave Red Bull?

Newey has been involved in the Red Bull project since almost day one. Newey was one of the first big names Christian Horner managed to bring in. Newey was behind the success between 2010 and 2013 and also played an important role in Max Verstappen's winning years.

People within the team now dismiss Newey's role as less important. The technical team can now stand on its own two feet with day-to-day management in Pierre Waché's hands. Yet it seems Newey steered Red Bull in the right direction with the 'ground-effect cars', so describing his contribution as nil seems rather misplaced.

Horner and Newey were good friends for a long time, but that relationship is now said to have cooled. Newey is said to want to leave the team mainly because of all the turmoil in the background, but will the team just let him go? Horner has said he does not want to keep anyone with the team against their will, but does the same apply to the top designer? Will he be allowed to officially join another rival team before his contract expires? And until when can Newey remain involved in Red Bull's current plans? All questions that will soon be answered in the coming period.