Latest news with #Newey
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Max Verstappen's Red Bull future in the air, following Christian Horner's sacking and Mercedes interest
If there is one truism that has stood the test of time, it is that empires always fall. Some crumble quickly, while others wither away slowly, even as the rulers fail to realise the erosion of power and influence. This applies to history, big businesses and sporting outfits. Sport, in particular, has seen many rises and falls, given the relatively short playing careers of professional athletes and how that impacts team fortunes. Past glory The West Indies did not lose a Test cricket series from April 1980 to April 1995. It has since continued to plummet to new lows. Manchester United hasn't won the Premier League since legendary manager Alex Ferguson retired after guiding the club to its 20th top-flight title in 2013. Last season, the Red Devils finished 15th in the standings, their lowest in five decades. In the world of Formula One, Ferrari hasn't won a title since 2008, a period following the departure of its famous axis of Ross Brawn, Michael Schumacher and Jean Todt, which had powered the Scuderia to stupendous success from 1999 to 2004. ALSO READ | Will Piastri vs. Norris go the way of Formula One's other stormy intra-team battles? However, unlike most other sports, where bringing in a few exceptional players can quickly transform a team's fortunes, turning the ship around is more complex in motorsport. It takes years to establish the team structure required to compete for wins and titles. So, when a successful outfit starts to fall apart, it can go off the rails spectacularly. Earlier this month, Red Bull, which has won four drivers' and two constructors' titles over the last four seasons, hit the news for the wrong reasons when team boss Christian Horner was sacked. Horner has been at the helm of the energy drink giant's main F1 team since it entered the sport in 2005. In the cut-throat world of competition, his 20-year stint is one of the longest tenures at the helm for someone who is not an owner. Horner was instrumental in the team's success, luring design genius Adrian Newey away from McLaren in the first year. Newey went on to lay the foundations for the squad's tremendous run of triumphs from 2010 to 2013 and from 2021 to 2024. In all, Red Bull has won eight drivers' and six constructors' titles, and its 124 race wins make it the fourth-most successful team in the sport's 76-year history. Horner's exit comes on the back of other high-profile Red Bull departures over the last year, including that of Newey, who joined Aston Martin, and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, currently team principal at Sauber. Horner has been in the eye of the storm since February last year, when he was accused of sexual harassment by a female employee. He was cleared of the claims by an internal investigation, but his position has been tenuous. Red Bull's drastic drop in form since the middle of last year also weakened his hand. There are reasons to believe that his underplaying of Newey's influence forced the legendary designer to leave. ALSO READ | Madrid's new street circuit to debut in 2026, replacing Imola on F1 schedule Newey also indicated that the engineering team did not heed his warnings about the capricious nature of the car as early as 2023, when Red Bull won 21 of 22 races. Only Verstappen has been able to live with the car's handling. The reigning champion is almost heroically keeping Red Bull afloat, having scored 165 of the team's 172 points. He is third in the drivers' standings, 69 behind leader Oscar Piastri. Not sustainable The fact that Verstappen has managed two wins and consistently fights for the podium, even occasionally securing pole, demonstrates his exceptional ability behind a problematic car. However, the 27-year-old has made clear his frustrations of having to wring its neck to extract miraculous results every weekend. As it often happens, whenever there is trouble in the kingdom, it attracts enemies who sense an opportunity to strike gold. Since last year, Mercedes and its part-owner team boss Toto Wolff have made no secret of courting the four-time champion. Wolff missed the chance to sign a teenaged Verstappen in 2015, as Red Bull offered the Dutchman a seat immediately in its sister team Toro Rosso, something Mercedes couldn't guarantee. Smarting from that snub, Wolff has always hoped to one day get his man. Another factor that was in play until recently was the simmering tension between the Verstappen camp and Horner. Max's father Jos attacked the now-sacked team boss publicly last year after the harassment allegations, saying the team was in danger of being torn apart as long as Horner remained in the hot seat. Seen in this light, could Red Bull's sacking of Horner have been a means of placating the Verstappen camp into staying, given the significance of next season? In 2026, F1 will transition to new sustainable power units. Red Bull is taking a step into the unknown by building its own powertrains. Traditionally, engines are built by OEMs and not independent racing teams, which prefer to focus on the chassis and partner with a major auto manufacturer for engine supply. But when Red Bull's current partner Honda pulled out in 2021, Horner pushed for Red Bull to become an engine manufacturer. Despite hiring heavily from rival teams, there are now murmurs that Red Bull's engine is behind Mercedes in terms of competitiveness. ALSO READ | India's first F1 driver Narain Karthikeyan's life to be immortalised on screen The annual summer break (after the Hungarian GP on August 3 this season) is around the time when most driver contracts are renewed, and even though Verstappen has a deal until 2028, there are always get-out clauses. Mercedes has a potential opening next year, with George Russell's contract ending at the end of 2025. The Briton has revealed his situation is dependent on Verstappen. In any other scenario, Russell, who proved faster than Lewis Hamilton in their years as teammates and is performing at a high level this season, would have been a shoo-in for an automatic renewal. The fact that it has not happened shows how seriously Wolff believes he has a chance to land the big fish. Before Verstappen's reign, Mercedes ruled F1 from 2014 to 2021, winning eight constructors' titles on the bounce in one of the longest periods of dominance in any sport worldwide. The foundation for that success was laid in 2014, when the current hybrid power units emerged, and Mercedes gained a significant lead over its rivals. Interestingly, in preparation for the new era, Wolff and Niki Lauda, then a director at Mercedes, convinced Hamilton to leave McLaren at the end of 2012. Doing a Hamilton? It proved a masterstroke, with Hamilton securing six more world titles. If there is truth in the rumour of Mercedes nailing the new engines, Verstappen could be tempted to do what Hamilton did and jump from a ship that has a lot of holes. While any move is fraught with risk, Mercedes has a track record of producing fast, reliable engines, and could offer Verstappen a shot at shattering even more records. If he does jump ship, it could deal a fatal blow to Red Bull and send the F1 silly season into overdrive during the summer break.
Newsweek
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Aston Martin Design Guru Adrian Newey Breaks Silence on Restrictive 2026 F1 Regulations
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Formula One aero guru, Adrian Newey, who joined Aston Martin as a managing technical partner and shareholder in March, has opened up about the upcoming 2026 F1 regulations for the first time, hinting that there remains limited flexibility in design. For the first time in more than a decade, new engine and chassis regulations will be implemented next year, leading to entirely new F1 cars on the grid that will be lighter and slightly smaller than the current ground effect cars. They will also feature active aerodynamics on the front and rear wings. One major difference in the 2026 F1 car will be the way it is powered. The new car will feature an electric motor and an internal combustion engine, with the power being split equally between the two. F1 teams were allowed to begin their work on the 2026 car from this year, as they continue focusing on the 2025 season. Juggling between the two cars has been quite a task, and many teams are ending their progress of the current car after the summer break. Adrian Newey of Aston Martin walks in the paddock during the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on May 25, 2025 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. Adrian Newey of Aston Martin walks in the paddock during the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on May 25, 2025 in Monte-Carlo, current regulations offer little design flexibility to teams to experiment with their cars' components, pushing them to find creative loopholes. The 2024 season saw McLaren introduce a rear wing that flexed under pressure at high speed, creating a semi-DRS effect. While the FIA deemed it to be legal, it reportedly asked McLaren to change the design after facing backlash from other teams on the grid. As F1 teams rely on such grey areas in the regulations to extract further performance from cars, Newey has suggested that the 2026 regulations don't offer "much room" to experiment, but admitted that a deep dive into the rules could help obtain a certain amount of flexibility. Speaking to F1-Insider, he said: "When I first saw the rules, my initial reaction was, 'Oh dear, that doesn't leave much room for maneuver! "But when you delve into the details, you do see a certain amount of flexibility. But as always in Formula 1, after three or four years, the teams will converge." Aged 66, Newey parted ways with Red Bull last year, where he designed the team's dominant cars that helped Max Verstappen secure four championships. After starting his new role at Aston Martin, the Briton admitted that he went into a "design trance," as his wife calls it, working "flat out" continuously except on one weekend, to design "a fast racing car." He added: "I had a weekend off recently, but apart from that, it's been pretty much flat-out nonstop. When I enter such a phase of intense concentration, I barely notice anything to the left or right. All my computing power is channeled toward one goal: designing a fast racing car." Newey is currently working on "the front and rear suspension, the fuel tank size, and the wheelbase" of the 2026 Aston Martin F1 car. However, he mentioned two shortcomings affecting his work, for which his team may have to rely on mid-season upgrades. He said: "On the one hand, we don't have enough time, and on the other, our simulation tools may be a bit weak. So we have to try to make the best possible assessments. If necessary, the body and wings can be adjusted during the season."
News18
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- News18
Alonso Reveals Newey's Impact On Aston Martin's F1 Revival Plans: 'We All Learn'
Last Updated: Fernando Alonso feels Aston Martin is learning from Adrian Newey, who joined as Managing Technical Partner, transforming the team's processes and vision for the 2026 regulations. Fernando Alonso believes Aston Martin is experiencing a learning curve under the guidance of legendary designer Adrian Newey, who joined the Silverstone-based team earlier this year as Managing Technical Partner. As Aston Martin aims to recover from a disappointing start to the 2025 Formula 1 season, Alonso has disclosed how Newey's presence is already beginning to transform the team's internal processes and long-term vision. Newey, who departed Red Bull Racing after decades of championship triumphs, began working with Aston Martin in March. Regarded as one of the greatest technical minds in F1 history, his arrival is considered a major coup for the team, which aims to become a consistent front-runner under the upcoming 2026 regulations. During the British Grand Prix weekend, Alonso shared his initial interactions with Newey and the insights he brings to the team. 'We had a couple of lunches together," Alonso was quoted by Formula as saying. 'Generally [focused on] things about the team, about the simulator, how to make things a little bit more realistic, and he has a lot of experience [of] how a top team should fight for championships and try to be on top of the game in every area." The two-time World Champion stressed that Newey's contributions extend far beyond the aerodynamics department. 'It's not only the aerodynamics. When we think about Adrian, it is all aero performance; I think Adrian has a much wider view of how the team should operate, so we all learn from him every time that we speak with him." How Will Adrian Newey Help Aston Martin? While Newey's main focus is reportedly on preparing the team for the sweeping technical changes in 2026, Alonso remains cautious about his own future in the sport beyond that point. When asked about the possibility of racing in 2027, the 43-year-old veteran was straightforward. 'No, not really. Not in my mind now." 'The decision will be made next year, I think, around summer time or before to have things clear as soon as possible. Right now, the championship is challenging this year. We didn't start as competitive as we thought, and now we want to turn the situation [around]." Alonso added, 'We want to finish the second part of 2025 as strong as possible. Then 2026, everything remains to be seen. Step by step, and [it's] impossible to think right now into 2027." Aston Martin currently sits eighth in the Constructors' Championship, level on 36 points with Racing Bulls, who hold seventh place on countback. (With inputs from IANS) view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Daily Mirror
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
The Red Bull F1 exit that led to Christian Horner's demise wasn't Adrian Newey
Christian Horner's Red Bull empire has fallen after 20 years. In the end, it seems it was a combination of performance and politics that led to the downfall of a man who, 18 months ago, survived a scandal that would have taken most others down. Did the accusation of inappropriate behaviour towards a female colleague in the Formula 1 team, made last February, of which he was cleared by an independent KC hired by Red Bull to investigate the claim, have any bearing on his exit? Possibly, though nothing new has happened on that topic of late. But it was certainly the catalyst for those who wanted Horner gone to make their move. People like star driver Max Verstappen's father Jos, who responded to that controversy by calling for the Brit's head in public and has spent the last 18 months trying to undermine him at every opportunity. Long-serving Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko was also a thorn in Horner's side at times, while the central Red Bull leadership in Austria also had their doubts. Mark Mateschitz, who inherited 49 percent of Red Bull GmbH when his father and company founder Dietrich died in October 2022, was not as much of a fan of Horner as his old man was. Nor was Oliver Mintzlaff, who in 2022 was installed as chief executive of corporate projects and new investments – in charge of the company's sporting efforts which effectively made him Horner's boss. He was believed to have been unhappy with how much power the Brit wielded in his duel role as both team principal and chief executive of Red Bull Racing. But Horner had some crucial protection, in the form of Thai businessman Chalerm Yoovidhya. The 49 percent of Red Bull owned by his family, as well as his own personal two percent stake, meant he had majority control and, despite the best efforts of the Austrian leadership, he stood firm and refused to replace Horner. That, of course, has since changed. Horner's exit, announced on Wednesday but communicated to the long-serving leader of the F1 team a day earlier, comes amid concerns that star driver Max Verstappen could quit for rivals Mercedes, and a performance drop-off from the team which has seen them fall out of contention for both titles. Many people have pointed to the departure of Adrian Newey as the starting point for that decline. The Brit is one of the most celebrated designers in F1 history and his departure after 18 years last season, before he agreed to join Aston Martin, coincided with the beginning of their drop in performance. Losing his expertise would certainly have been a blow, though there were upsides. As much as Newey was frustrated that others within the team were taking credit for his work, his presence also created a discontent as other leading designers felt they actually weren't getting enough credit – because Newey received all the plaudits, particularly from outside the team. Sources indicate that Verstappen was also frustrated with Newey towards the end. And then there was the departure of Jonathan Wheatley, who joined in 2006 as team manager and later became sporting director, with an unrivalled knowledge of the regulations and strong command of Red Bull's pit crew who became the best in the business under his leadership. Formula 1 fans can watch every practice, qualifying and race live with Sky's new Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle in a new deal that saves £192. As well as Sky Sports access, this includes more than 100 TV channels and free subscriptions to Netflix and Discovery+. But he wanted to make the next step in his career and become team principal. With Horner seemingly there for the long haul, he decided last summer that his future laid elsewhere and accepted an approach from Audi to spearhead their new F1 project. But multiple sources inside Red Bull Racing have indicated that the departure actually felt the most internally was that of Rob Marshall. He was another who joined the fledgling outfit in 2006 as chief designer and went on to become their head of engineering, but left in early 2023 before starting work at McLaren in January the following year. In the time since, Red Bull have been knocked off their perch and McLaren have succeeded them as the team with by far the most competitive car on the grid. Chiefs at the F1 team, including Horner before his exit, felt that Marshall's defection was a key factor in that shift and that his absence has been far more detrimental to their performance than any other. Many people will point to the scandal last season as the beginning of the end of Horner's long tenure as commander-in-chief at Red Bull Racing. But it seems Marshall's exit a year earlier was the true catalyst for the performance decline which turned out to be the straw that broke the camel's back.
TimesLIVE
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Verstappen a ‘pipe dream' until Aston build a better car, says Newey
Aston Martin's chances of signing Max Verstappen will be a "pipe dream" until they have a car good enough for Red Bull's four-times world champion, according to the team's design great Adrian Newey. Newey, whose cars have won many Formula One championships for three teams, joined Aston from Red Bull in March with speculation Verstappen might eventually link up with him again. Verstappen has won two of seven races this season and is third overall behind McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris while Aston Martin are seventh in the standings and far from the podium places. Double world champion Fernando Alonso, 43, has yet to score. In Monaco to attend a race for the first time since his move, Newey was asked the inevitable questions about Verstappen's future. "Max is clearly a phenomenal talent, and he's a supreme competitor and part of that means Max likes to break things down to a simple common equation," he told reporters. "That is, in this particular case, choosing the team he believes will deliver the fastest car. So if we're to ever attract Max, the first thing we have to do is make a fast car. "It's a pipe dream about anything else from there." The Briton said it had been easy to settle into his new surroundings and, while focused on next year's car, he had spent time assessing how the team worked and the strengths and weaknesses. He singled out the driver-in-the-loop simulator as requiring a lot of work, while the new wind tunnel was arguably the best in Formula One. "It (the simulator) is not correlating (to the track) at all at the moment, which is a fundamental research tool and not having that is a limitation," added Newey, who said fixing the simulator would probably take two years. Newey said Aston Martin, whose state-of-the-art Silverstone factory is on the old Jordan team site, had good people but needed them to settle down and work better together after a time of expansion. The designer said the 2026 rule change, the start of a new era for Formula One, offered "a reasonable amount of flexibility" and expected a range of different solutions. He said he was working at the factory "pretty much full-on". "My wife, she kind of says I go into a design trance," he said.
