Key Red Bull Racing leader set to depart following off-track controversy

Newey's 2025 departure is a massive blow for Red Bull Racing. He's the man responsible for the team's dominant cars in 2022, 2023 and 2024 and one of the more respected people in the F1 paddock.

It's a shame F1 doesn't just play out on the track. If it did, Red Bull Racing would be the clear winner of the 2024 season. It has won four of five Grand Prixs and is 44 points clear of second-place Ferrari in the Constructor Standings.

Beyond the stats, though, Red Bull's 2024 season has been uncharacteristically volatile. 

While drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez were excelling on the track, Red Bull's leadership was locked in an ego-driven power struggle. Team principal Christian Horner faced credible allegations of harassment and controlling behavior. Meanwhile, driver development manager Helmut Marko and Verstappen's father, Jos, used the scandal to go to the media to question Horner's leadership skills.

Horner, Marko and Verstappen Sr. have retained their positions within Red Bull despite the drama they've created. But their antics bred unintended consequences.

Newey's car designs put Red Bull Racing on the map in 2010 and his technical knowledge is irreplaceable.

To make matters worse, Newey isn't likely to leave F1 altogether. He could take his wealth of experience to another F1 team. The BBC confirmed that Aston Martin and Ferrari have spoken with Newey about potential long-term contracts. 

Both options have merit for Newey. 

Aston Martin is building a best-in-class design facility (complete with a private wind tunnel for aerodynamic research) not far from Newey's current offices in Milton Keynes in England. Ferrari, meanwhile, is an established F1 brand with legions of fans in Italy and beyond. 

Newey has said that his two biggest dreams in F1 are to work with Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton, the British driver who is heading to Ferrari next year. Newey could knock out both of those dreams in one go.

Newey's departure proves that what happens off the track in F1 is just as important — if not more so —as what happens on it. Red Bull is dominant on the track, but its behind-the-scenes drama is causing an architect of its success to search for greener pastures.

The F1 season continues May 5 with the Miami Grand Prix.