Verstappen understands that Newey may soon start elsewhere: 'Would be unfair'

Verstappen has not yet tried to persuade Newey to stay at Red Bull Racing. "I don't need to convince anyone because at the end of the day, if someone really wants to leave, they should leave. That's also what I wrote to him. Yeah, we talk. I mean, it's not like suddenly you don't talk anymore. If you think that is the right decision for yourself and your family or you seek a different challenge or whatever you have to, do it."

Indeed, the 26-year-old driver understands, "F1 is a shark tank. Everyone thinks about themselves. I know that. I'm not stupid. So that's fine." Verstappen has always worked well with Newey since he arrived at Red Bull Racing in mid-2016, but that is now coming to an end.

Short 'gardening leave' for Newey

Newey is no longer actively working on the 2025 and will only be present to support at certain GPs. Sometime in the first quarter of 2025, he may start working directly for another team in Formula 1. Red Bull agreed that its top designer would not be sent home for a long 'gardening leave' period. The 65-year-old Briton can go straight to work at a team like Ferrari or Aston Martin to get involved in designing the 2026 car.

"In a way, I'm also not surprised because we respect him a lot and we will always be very, very thankful for what he has done for the team over all these years. I'm not talking for Christian or whatever because at the end of the day, he has to discuss that with Christian about how the release terms and stuff are done. But I'm not surprised because I think in a way, it would be maybe also a little bit unfair to try and just put him on gardening leave for a very long time. Just thinking back on what he has done for the team. So I guess there's this mutual respect between the two parties."

Danger for Red Bull?

Towards 2026 - when the new regulations take effect in Formula 1 - a quick switch from Newey to a rival is a potential threat to Red Bull. "Verstappen: A person like Adrian with his experience and of course the knowledge that he has from our team, it should be an advantage. But then on the other hand, in 26 again everything is very, very new, very different to how the cars are now."

"Before he would potentially join another team in 2025, then normally the cars are already designed for that year. So that is, again, something you don't know how much influence he can have. But for sure, with new regulations, if he would go somewhere else, with his knowledge, you know, he can bring a lot to a team." Concluded the Dutchman