Adrian Newey explains why he was ‘very unpopular’ at Red Bull during RB17 production

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Adrian Newey is leaving Red Bull in the early part of 2025 after handing in his resignation. Newey has been one of the architects of the team’s success since his arrival in 2006.

He informed the team of his departure in the spring, and successfully negotiated his way out of any gardening leave requirements. That means he’ll be able to work for a new team straight away, should he wish.

Red Bull have restricted Newey’s access to certain data in the knowledge that he could soon be representing a competitor. He’s only attending selected events between now and the end of the season.

Those events are chosen based on the key markets for the RB17 hypercar, a project Newey has been working on behind the scenes. The team showcased his design at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.

The 65-year-old has contributed to 13 championships at Milton Keynes – seven in the drivers’ and six in the constructors’. From that standpoint, he may simply want a new challenge.

But Newey was also unhappy with Christian Horner for downplaying his influence. Horner has sought to talk up the role of his colleagues in the technical department.

Adrian Newey admits late RB17 change annoyed Red Bull colleagues

Speaking on the Talking Bull podcast, Newey reflected on the development of the RB17. He says he demanded a late change to the exhaust layout, which forced the team to modify a part that was due for release.

He admits that this made him ‘unpopular’ with his colleagues, but it speaks to the perfectionist approach that has served him so well. For prospective suitors, this is a valuable insight into his working methods.

“I was actually very unpopular about two or three weeks ago where I wasn’t totally happy with the exhaust layout, particularly where the tailpipes are exiting and the angle and so forth,” Newey said. “So I changed that and that affected a part which was about to be released.”

The RB17 weighs just under 900 kilograms and produces more than 1,200 horsepower. With a top speed in excess of 350 km/h, Red Bull claim it can reach ‘F1-equivalent lap times’.

Adrian Newey has ‘gone into hiding’ amid latest stories on F1 future

Newey has chosen to join Aston Martin next year, according to a report in Italy. His Red Bull podcast appearance is one of the few interviews he’s given since his resignation.

One report states Newey has ‘gone into hiding’ in an attempt to avoid the public eye. His future has been one of the biggest stories in F1 this season.

Newey’s move to Ferrari looked ‘done’ before a ‘dramatic’ late turnaround. Ferrari refused to agree to his biggest demands.

According to BBC F1 pundit Marc Priestley, Newey wanted to bring 20 engineers with him to Maranello. Team principal Fred Vasseur was reluctant to cede that level of influence to a figure who would effectively be a consultant.

Meanwhile, a return to Williams never seemed realistic. Newey saw ‘too much’ work to get them back to the top.