Max Verstappen has suggested that Formula 1 designer Adrian Newey’s impending departure from Red Bull might not be a certain “negative” as has been proposed.
Red Bull announced last week that Newey will leave the team during the opening quarter of 2025 to bring an end to his almost two-decade association with the outfit.
The Briton, 65, has provided the inspiration behind the cars to have secured 25 F1 championships, including the last three that Verstappen has driven to title success.
But while Red Bull is the outstanding favourite to retain both crowns this season and next, it has been touted that Newey’s exit will hamper the team’s 2026 prospects.
However, Verstappen has looked to the positives that could come from Red Bull losing Newey’s presence, citing how it could prompt other technical minds to step up.
Asked whether he was concerned that Newey’s egress could spark an exodus at Red Bull in Miami last week, Verstappen replied: “I cannot speak for everyone else.
“At the moment, I think everyone is happy with their roles in the team, and who knows? Maybe with Adrian leaving, what it will do to the team?
“It might not always seem negative, you know. This is not something bad towards Adrian, but you see that in a lot of different companies or sports.
“Sometimes when somebody has been part for a long time of the team, and then suddenly this person leaves, it’s not always a negative thing. Maybe it promotes young talent.
“Of course there will never be another Adrian, but that’s also fine because it would be quite boring if everyone is like Adrian.
“It’s very important to appreciate what he has done for the team, but also for us, it’s important to just work with the people that we have available. And they are very good at what they do.”
The Dutchman’s father, Jos, said that the Newey news had seen his fears that Red Bull would collapse in the case where Christian Horner remained had been realised.
Verstappen, who has been linked with a switch to Mercedes in recent months, provided a muted response when it was put to him that the two shared alternate views.
“Well at the end of the day, I think I learned also to not always say everything in the media,” he answered.
“Because it doesn’t benefit anyone, it doesn’t benefit myself, it doesn’t benefit the team.
“And at the end of the day, it will also not benefit to anyone around in the paddock. I don’t always need to say everything that I have in my mind.”
