Helmut Marko reveals the ‘most important’ signing Red Bull have ever made in Formula 1

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Red Bull has been incredibly successful in Formula 1 since buying the Jaguar team ahead of the 2005 season, and a lot of their victories could be attributed to Adrian Newey.

The designer has become a legendary figure after creating cars that have won 13 drivers’ championships, including all of Red Bull’s title-winning entries. Helmut Marko believes he has been integral to the success and spoke of Newey on the Inside Line F1 Podcast.

Newey is leaving the Red Bull team after a successful run with the Austrian outfit and is rumoured to join Aston Martin in Formula 1.

The Briton would be a key signing, bringing all his experience and understanding of how to build an aerodynamically efficient car. He is also vital to maximising the floor’s ground effect, which he has previously studied.

Helmut Marko believes Adrian Newey is Red Bull’s most important signing in Formula 1

Red Bull’s opening few years in Formula 1 were unspectacular, their debut season in 2005 saw the team fail to score a podium before Newey joined ahead of the following season.

Despite Newey joining the team in 2006, Red Bull’s first win came in 2009, setting up a run of four consecutive world championships over the next few years.

During this championship-winning run, Newey was critical in enabling Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber to claim many race wins.

READ MORE: Adrian Newey already ‘pleased’ with key decision Aston Martin have already made for 2026

The blown diffuser in 2011 was perfected by Red Bull and Newey, energising the rear of the car and creating more downforce, therefore, more grip in the turns.

Marko appreciates the importance of Newey during their stints at the top, with Vettel and, more recently, Max Verstappen in particular.

The experienced Austrian said: “The big change came, and that was, the most important thing was to sign Adrian Newey because he was the only one in the team who had a Championship-winning experience.

“He brought all the know-how but also the demands which are necessary to make when racing a winning team. I think that was one of the milestones.”

Red Bull may suffer without Adrian Newey’s specialist expertise

Newey has been successful throughout his career, winning titles at Williams, McLaren and Red Bull, designing elegant cars that allowed to driver to compete at the front.

The 65-year-old will play a smaller role in designing next year’s Red Bull before leaving the team in the first quarter of 2025.

Red Bull have taken a step back this season and been overtaken by McLaren on pure pace, allowing the British team to ignite a battle for the Constructors’ Championship.

The new set of regulations, introduced in 2026, also presents an unknown as the Austrian team will begin to create its engines in partnership with Ford.