Adrian Newey may have left Red Bull for Aston Martin for key decisive reasons

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Adrian Newey’s Red Bull departure has been one of the most seismic events in recent Formula 1 history, as the sport’s greatest designer finally changes environment after 18 years.

The Brit achieved 13 championships with the Milton Keynes-based outfit and waves goodbye to them to take up a position with Aston Martin.

The deal, which is believed to be worth up to £30 million per year, will see him fulfil an ambition to work with two-time champion Fernando Alonso.

The Spaniard has shown over the past few years that he still has some top performances left in him at the age of 43, meaning that he and Newey could yet form a formidable partnership.

Adrian Newey left Red Bull due to ‘under-appreciation’

Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast, Craig Slater shared his thoughts behind the move, including why he thinks Newey decided to leave Red Bull.

After all, he could easily have remained with the team and helped lead them to more success over the coming years, seeing how dominant that they have been recently.

READ MORE: Lawrence Stroll explains what’s ‘missing’ at Aston Martin to become a top team despite signing Adrian Newey

“I think one of the reasons he has left is because he felt under-appreciated I think in the last years,” said Slater.

“Because, Red Bull perhaps convinced themselves that it was the technical department as a wider entity which was responsible for this success, rather than the extra element that Newey brought.

“We learned that he’s had no input on that car at all since April. That’s another illustrator I think of how even in a short space of time, his input – or lack of it, is felt.”

Can Newey lead Aston Martin to the promised land?

Having done it with three teams before, there’s a good chance that Newey will be able to lead a fourth team to championship success.

But the sport is much more team-based now, and no longer centred around the efforts of anyone one person – which makes his task a little more difficult.

READ MORE: What F1 teams do well at Azerbaijan GP with Red Bull successful

Newey won’t be allowed to work on anything Aston Martin-related until he formally starts work for them in March 2025, but that gives him plenty of time to focus his efforts on their 2026 challenger.

Unless they have a torrid 2025, it’s unlikely that he will spend much time on that car – with a championship effort from the next set of technical regulations onwards of more importance.

Lance Stroll will be licking his lips most currently, with there being a great chance of having a race-winning car within the next few seasons that he will benefit from.