The emerging reports linking Formula 1 design guru Adrian Newey with a surprise departure from Red Bull are sure to shine the spotlight on Max Verstappen’s future.
Rumours associating Verstappen with an exit had subsided, but the potential absence of an integral figurehead in the Dutchman’s success could reignite such claims.
Newey has been the brain behind the all-conquering beasts that Verstappen has tamed to expert effect over the past seasons to write his name into the record books.
But it is speculated that Newey has informed close confidants that he plans to leave since becoming unsettled with the saga involving Red Bull boss Christian Horner.
The Briton is regarded as the sport’s greatest-ever designer, having been the genius behind the concepts that have guided Williams, McLaren and Red Bull to 25 titles.
That includes the seven Drivers’ Championships and six Constructors’ successes that Red Bull has attained in F1 to date, with two more sure to follow this campaign.
Horner disclosed in 2022 that Red Bull had evolved its technical structure to not be reliant on Newey, but Technical Director Pierre Wache labelled him “irreplaceable”.
The Briton and the Frenchman have worked in tandem to head a collective that has returned Red Bull to pre-eminence since F1 reverted to ground-effect cars in 2022.
Red Bull has proven to be untouchable with the current generation machines in use, winning all but two races since the beginning of last term with its RB19 and RB20.
Verstappen has capitalised on that dominance to claim three consecutive Drivers’ Championships and rise up to third place in the all-time wins list with 58 victories.
Verstappen has begun the term with a near-flawless record that has been interrupted with a sole blemish in Australia to leave him on course for a fourth straight title.
But amid the backdrop of his ongoing dominance on the track, Verstappen has been compelled to answer repeated questions over his F1 future during media sittings.
For an individual who desires to turn up and race and not be involved with outside drama, Verstappen has cut an agitated figure when pressed on the Horner situation.
Verstappen’s wish to remain separated from that side of affairs was not helped when his father Jos said in Bahrain that Horner’s presence could “tear apart” the team.
The Dutch star has been linked with a sensational move to Mercedes, with the marque’s Team Principal Toto Wolff insistent that Verstappen is his leading candidate.
Although Verstappen would appear unwise to depart Red Bull whilst he continues to rack up the accolades, Newey’s departure could trigger him to think longer-term.
Verstappen had maintained that completing the extent of his current long-term deal would be reliant on the instrumental members of his success remaining in place.
Speaking at the time when Newey extended his own contract 12 months ago, the Red Bull ace mentioned the importance of retaining the core that has conquered F1.
“I mean, when you’re doing really well, you want to try and keep that whole group together. And that’s of course also the target for the team for the future,” he assessed.
However, Newey’s instant withdrawal could spark a mass exodus that threatens to undo that and create the single scenario that prompts Verstappen to review options.
Verstappen had expressed in China last week that he was satisfied the talk surrounding Red Bull each weekend was beginning to pivot back towards its achievements.
“After 2021, I signed a long deal with the team,” Verstappen said. “The only thing that I always said from the beginning is we want to have a quiet, peaceful environment.
“I do think lately we’ve been talking about the car so I’m happy about that already. We’re talking about the performance of the car. That’s also how it should be.
“As long as I’m happy with the team, there’s never been a reason to leave.”
However, that is set to be shortlived amid the growing rumours that Newey is preparing to walk from the position he has occupied at Red Bull for almost two decades.
The re-emergence of the apprehension and friction that encapsulated Red Bull across the earlier months of 2024 will provide a stern test of Verstappen’s commitment.
Ferrari has the incumbent Charles Leclerc tied down to partner the arriving Lewis Hamilton, while Fernando Alonso has put pen to paper on an Aston Martin extension.
With McLaren also out of the picture, Mercedes remains the obvious destination in the event that he takes the plunge and chooses to continue in F1 without Red Bull.
According to reports, the German marque is prepared to present Verstappen with a mouthwatering annual wage packet and hire Helmut Marko to tempt him across.
Meanwhile, Mercedes can also depend on proposing to the reigning F1 champion that it will be in a position to compete at the sharp end again with new regulations.
Mercedes has endured its worst beginning to a season since 2011 this term as the squad’s struggles to understand the current generation machines have continued.
However, the anticipated reversion to an engine-dominated formula will provide a chance to Red Bull’s rivals, with Mercedes optimistic about its next-gen powertrain.
Elsewhere, without Newey’s intellectual mind to call upon and a nascent engine venture that represents an unknown situation, Red Bull’s 2026 hopes appear delicate.
Wolff was bullish in China that Mercedes will not need to convince Verstappen despite the competitive deficit, citing that “other factors” must be under consideration.
The Austrian’s confidence on the matter could be mistaken for foolishness, but rumours have disclosed that Verstappen’s camp will meet with Mercedes next month.
Wolff admits that he was stung when Hamilton signed for Ferrari, which begs the question whether his comments about Verstappen came with prior understanding.
Regardless, the situation at Red Bull is set to be a tense one in Miami next weekend, with the reigning champions threatened with losing two vital cogs to its success.
