Adrian Newey could be cut from Red Bull’s Formula 1 programme as the team searches for a way to be compliant with the cost cap.
The powerhouse design genius has been behind much of their success in the sport, helping to lead them to 13 total world championships since joining in 2006.
During the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend, rumours that Helmut Marko and Max Verstappen could join Mercedes were rife in the paddock, threatening to destabilise the Red Bull operation.
Now German publication Auto Motor und Sport reports that Adrian Newey is currently ‘unhappy’ with how things have played out recently, and reports that Horner wants to ‘completely relegate him to the RB17 hypercar project.’
While it could help free up space within the cost cap, as he would no longer count as one of their three highest earners – and therefore a cap exception, it means that the team are taking a big risk in committing to their future Formula 1 projects without him.
If the situation doesn’t improve, an ‘unhappy’ Newey could look elsewhere for his future, especially with Lewis Hamilton joining a tantalising Ferrari project for 2025.
At least for now, he should be content with working on the exciting RB17 which is one of the most intriguing projects he has ever been involved in.