Adrian Newey, Red Bull’s design chief, will quit the team following the turmoil surrounding claims against team principal Christian Horner.
BBC Sport has discovered that Newey, widely considered the greatest Formula One designer of all time, has informed Red Bull that he wishes to leave.
The 65-year-old has been concerned about the situation at Red Bull since Horner was accused of sexual harassment and forceful, abusive conduct by a female colleague, which he denies.
Red Bull and Newey did not immediately reply to inquiries for comment.
The British design boss has been extensively connected with Ferrari and is believed to have had an offer from Aston Martin, but now that his availability is public, he is sure to be pursued by all major teams.
Newey’s contract with Red Bull runs until the end of 2025, but he believes he can arrange a release that would allow him to work for another club starting next season.
His intention to quit Red Bull was initially revealed by Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport, but BBC Sport has validated the story with high-level sources close to Red Bull and Newey.
They revealed that his intention to quit derives from his dissatisfaction with the scenario around Horner, which has resulted in a multifaceted power struggle at Red Bull.
After conducting an internal inquiry, the team exonerated Horner of any misconduct. The complainant, who has now been suspended, filed an appeal against the verdict.
Horner and Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko are at odds, as are Thai primary shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya, who supported Horner, and Red Bull Gmbh in Austria, who first wanted him removed from his post.
Newey has been with Red Bull since 2005 and has led the team through two dominating eras: 2010–14, when Sebastian Vettel won four straight drivers’ and constructors’ championships, and the current era with Max Verstappen.
Last year, Verstappen and Red Bull had the most dominating season in Formula One history, with the Dutchman winning 19 of 22 races and the team winning all but one. After winning four of the first five races of the season, they are expected to repeat their performance.
Newey has won many championships with Williams and McLaren.
As Red Bull’s chief technical officer, Newey is no longer just focused on Formula One; he is also engaged in the company’s other projects, including the upcoming RB17 supercar.
Horner has also highlighted the team’s strengths under Newey, which is managed by technical director Pierre Wache.
However, the design head remains the bright mind responsible for the concept of the team’s successful automobiles, and his departure will be a seismic shift.
It may also disturb Verstappen, who is known to be concerned about the team’s internal predicament.
Verstappen, who is under contract until the end of 2028, has been asked on several occasions to provide his entire support to Horner and has always offered ambiguous replies.
However, he has often stated his intention to retain the Red Bull senior squad in place, saying at the Chinese Grand Prix last weekend: “I signed a lengthy contract. The only thing I’ve mentioned since the beginning is that we want a quiet atmosphere; lately, we’ve been talking about the automobile.
“I am happy about that; I am happy with the team, and there has never been a reason to leave.”
Verstappen has the contractual right to quit if Marko loses his post, and the driver played a key role in keeping the Austrian in place when it became clear during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in March that his position was under threat.
He is not thought to have the same flexibility if Newey leaves, but he would consider the departure of such a totemic and important character a significant loss.
Mercedes is openly wooing Verstappen, hoping to pull him away in 2025 or 2026.
