What next for Adrian Newey after his Red Bull exit?

Adrian Newey – the best designer Formula 1 has ever seen – is to leave the Red Bull team he has spent the last two decades with, winning 13 World Championships during that period.

Sources say discussions about Newey’s future and potentially parting ways have been happening for quite some time, even as early as last year – with Newey keen to explore a new chapter for a multitude of reasons. So, what does this super talent’s next chapter look like?

Could he join a rival team?

This is by far the most likely option.

Newey – who still uses a drawing board and pencil to sketch out his designs - continues to love what he does.

SUZUKA, JAPAN - APRIL 06: Adrian Newey, the Chief Technical Officer of Oracle Red Bull Racing looks — Red Bull have confirmed that Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey will be leaving after 19 years

And crucially, he is still operating at an incredibly high level. Under his technical leadership, Red Bull are dominating the sport, the RB20 far and away the class of the field so far this year.

This means that not only will he likely want to stay in Formula 1 – but his prestigious talent will be highly sought-after.

There is no team on the grid who would not want to secure Newey’s services, so relentlessly successful has he been in F1.

Sources say he’s had discussions with at least half the grid over the years but has always recommitted to Red Bull.

But which teams really, really want him?

Ferrari is the most speculated option – and would be the most logical next move.

The Scuderia under Fred Vasseur's leadership is going through a rebuild – including signing seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton for next season.

SHANGHAI, CHINA - APRIL 21: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes waves to the crowd on the — Lewis Hamilton will be joining Ferrari for 2025, with Newey saying before that he is one of the drivers he would have liked to work with

Newey has said before that it is a shame he hasn’t yet worked with Ferrari – Formula 1’s most famous team.

He said last June that there were at least two occasions earlier in his career when he came close to joining the Prancing Horse.

He’s also said on a couple of occasions that Hamilton is one of the drivers he would have liked to have worked with in his career.

Joining Ferrari would allow him to correct two of those, so far, missed opportunities and give him the chance to try and make the Italian squad world champions again.

Who else could convince him to stay in F1?

Aston Martin have been linked with a move for Newey – the Silverstone-based team having significant financial muscle like rivals Ferrari.

In joining Aston, he would also get the chance to work with Fernando Alonso – another driver Newey has namechecked as someone he would like to have worked with.

Aston, like Ferrari, also offers the chance to rebuild a famous brand – and the impressive facility billionaire Lawrence Stroll is building would give him the tools to do just that.

BAHRAIN, BAHRAIN - FEBRUARY 25: Mike Krack, Team Principal of the Aston Martin F1 Team and Fernando — Aston Martin Team Principal Mike Krack and Fernando Alonso are both part of an outfit that have huge ambitions

Sure, makes sense. Any other options?

Newey could fancy a reunion with Williams, who are in the middle of a rebuild under James Vowles, or McLaren, who are steadily climbing the pack but not yet a regular podium contender.

Helping the duo recapture their former glories could be tempting – although it’s more likely he will want to join a different team.

That could open the door for Audi, who are keen to make a splash when they debut in the sport in 2026, making Sauber their works team. They’ve got the budget and the commitment to succeed – and starting front the ground up might be appealing for Newey.

And he could be tempted by Alpine, too. Enstone has a long history in F1 – with a lot of good people within its walls.

They’ve fallen on tough times this year – and while they won’t have the mega bucks of Ferrari, Aston Martin or Audi, they have racing heritage and would benefit from someone of Newey’s incredible technical expertise.

What makes Adrian Newey so good?

He’s put in a heck of an innings. Couldn’t he just retire?

Of course, he could. He’s been working in F1 since 1988, working with March (that became Leyton House), Williams, McLaren and most recently Red Bull.

He’s won 12 Constructors’ Championships with three different F1 teams and celebrated 13 Drivers’ Championships with seven different drivers who raced his designs.

BARRETTO: Perez? Ricciardo? Sainz? Who will get the nod to partner Verstappen at Red Bull next season?

At 65 years old, he’s earned the right to get off the treadmill and enjoy retirement.

Only last year, he commissioned a yacht firm to build his dream sailing boat – so that could keep him busy.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 16: Adrian Newey, the Chief Technical Officer of Red Bull Racing looks — Adrian Newey would also have plenty of options to him outside of F1, should he want to

If he doesn’t retire but does leave F1, what could he do?

Plenty.

Newey loves to race – and has competed in a variety of championships and races, including the famous Le Mans 24 Hours. He’s showing no signs of giving up his racing licence.

He worked on the Gran Turismo 5 video game – so he would have more time to do similar projects.

THE GUENTHER STEINER COLUMN: Why the driver market is a big dance – and why I’m always open to a good project

During his time at Red Bull, he’s worked on a variety of non-F1 projects, including the Aston Martin Valkyrie – and he’s also responsible for the forthcoming RB17, which will be Red Bull’s first supercar.

Delving into another technical challenge on the scale of those two could be enough to tickle his fancy.

ANALYSIS: Adrian Newey's Red Bull exit is confirmed – what next for the star designer?