Newey could be FORCED out of Red Bull soon

adrian newey at Red Bull — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 News & Gossip

Newey could be FORCED out of Red Bull soon

Adrian Newey could transition to working on RB17 hypercar to free up cap space for talent to join the team

By Shay Rogers.

Friday 2 February 2024 20:57

Adrian Newey could be moved into a non-Formula 1 role with Red Bull in order to give the reigning constructors' champions more cost cap flexibility.

The top three earners at each team are excluded from being part of cost cap calculations, leaving teams a tough decision to make.

Newey has been with Red Bull since 2006, accruing six constructors’ and seven drivers’ world championships along the way.

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In 2022, it was announced that he would be designing a two-seat hypercar called the RB17 under Red Bull Advanced Technologies – the engineering side of the company.

Newey on the move

“Apparently, the plan is for Newey to focus entirely on the RB17 hypercar project in the medium term to free up one of the three high-earning positions for others.

“The star designer is currently still working part-time in the Formula 1 team, but that is set to change. Newey could soon be devoting himself fully to the RB17.

“This is also because the FIA is looking very closely at whether there are technical synergies between Formula 1 and the road-going sports car.”

The current cost cap rules were adjusted early in 2023 to ban part-time work, meaning that Newey would longer be allowed to be involved with Red Bull’s F1 commitments while working on the RB17.

This could have a major impact on Red Bull’s rivals, allowing them to poach more talent, but it does come with the caveat that Newey won’t be contributing to the F1 operations if the move goes ahead.

Red Bull Formula 1 FIA Adrian Newey RB17