AUTO – F1 1999 – BELGIUM – SPA FRANCORCHAMPS 990828- PHOTO: DPPI MIKA HAKKINEN (FIN) / MCLAREN MERCEDES RON DENNIS (GBR) / MCLAREN ADRIAN NEWEY (GBR) / MCLAREN ENVIRONMENT – PORTRAIT
After two decades of ‘union’, Newey and Red Bull confirmed this week, before the Miami Grand Prix weekend, that the Super Designer will step down from the role of technical chief, which immediately sparked speculation that he will join Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari in the future.
Although the move to Ferrari has not been officially confirmed yet (reports from Italy suggest it will be announced after the Miami GP), the news is so significant that it is overshadowing the preparation for the sixth round. Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez are strong favorites in the powerful RB20, designed by Newey & Co., which is a worthy successor to last year’s almost unbeatable RB19.
RBR finds itself in a dominant era, and Newey has been with Red Bull since the early days of Dietrich Mateschitz’s dream journey. The 65-year-old British designer, whose cars also secured F1 world championships for Williams and McLaren.
In fact, Hakkinen won his two F1 titles in McLarens designed by Newey, and the F1 legend commented on the news: “This is a significant change for him personally, as well as for the Red Bull team and for Formula 1 as a whole. Remember, this is the man who brought championship success to Williams, McLaren, and Red Bull Racing through his exceptional designs.”
The timing of Newey’s departure is surprising, considering Red Bull’s current period of dominance. This will certainly shake the team, not immediately, but certainly in the long term, as Newey leaves a big void in the team’s top management.
Hakkinen added: “It’s amazing that Adrian has chosen to leave the team when we are only a quarter of the way through the 2024 season and at a time when his RB20 car is completely dominating the World Championship with Max Verstappen. He will continue working on the Red Bull hypercar road car project, the RB17, until the beginning of 2025. However, the news that he will no longer be involved in the development of the F1 car is significant for three reasons.
“Firstly, this will have an impact on the team if key people decide to follow him, either due to internal politics or if they find out that Adrian is joining another team, like Ferrari. Secondly, it remains to be seen if the remaining team will feel destabilized by these events. When a team loses its captain, someone else needs to step in immediately to avoid confusion. And finally, we need to observe the effect this will have on World Champion Max Verstappen. Although this year’s car is unlikely to become less competitive, and the 2025 car will likely be an evolution, the 2026 car will be developed under a completely new set of regulations.”
Adrian, the renowned Formula 1 designer, has already started conceptualizing a new design. However, he will not be present to finalize or deliver it. This raises concerns for Max, as there is the possibility of Adrian joining another team by next year. These speculations were shared by the F1 World Champion of 1998 and 1999.
Reflecting on his own career at the peak of motorsport, Häkkinen emphasized the significant role played by cars designed by Adrian Newey in his success. Specifically, the McLaren MP4/13 and MP/14 allowed him to clinch his two Formula 1 World Championships. With the MP4/13, Häkkinen and his teammate David Coulthard triumphed in the 1998 Constructors’ World Championship, marking McLaren’s last achievement of this kind.
During this era, Adrian was not the sole responsible for the team’s design. Other talented designers, such as Neil Oatley, Steve Nichols, and Henri Durand, also contributed to the overall design efforts. However, Adrian held the crucial position of providing technical direction to the team. His move to Red Bull Racing at the end of his inaugural F1 season played a key role in shaping the team’s evolution and its remarkable success from 2010 to 2013, as recalled by Hakkinen.
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Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo made an incredible move during yesterday’s match against Barcelona. The Portuguese player showcased all his skill by dribbling past three opponents and scoring a breathtaking goal. The crowd went wild with the play and showered the superstar with praise.
Ronaldo, who currently plays for Real Madrid, has been a standout in every match. His technique and speed impress everyone, and he is already considered one of the best players in history. At just 29 years old, the player has already won numerous titles and continues to break records every season.
In addition to his talent on the field, Ronaldo is also known for his generosity off the field. The player is involved in various social actions and has already helped many people in need. His humility and charisma win fans around the world, and he is a true role model for young people.
Yesterday’s match was another demonstration of Cristiano Ronaldo’s talent. The player showed that he is in great physical shape and does not intend to stop there. His dedication and passion for the sport are evident in every move. Fans can expect many more incredible plays from the Portuguese star.
Ronaldo’s next challenge will be against Manchester United, his former club. The match promises to be exciting and fans are eager to see the player in action again. It will be another opportunity for Ronaldo to show why he is considered one of the best in the world.
There is no doubt that Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest players in the history of football. His skill, technique, and dedication are unparalleled. The player continues to surprise everyone in every match and his legacy in the sport is already guaranteed. The world of football is fortunate to have a talent like Cristiano Ronaldo.
