Red Bull has been far ahead of Mercedes and Ferrari in the last three years. These three constructors have been the powerhouses that dominated the grid over the last decade. The Austrian team used to dominate the grid from 2010 to 2013 with Sebastian Vettel steering the wheel. They had the same team principal and car designer that they have to this day. However, Adrian Newey won’t be part of the Milton Keynes outfit starting in 2025. On the other hand, Christian Horner will continue to be the team boss even without the chief car designer. Perhaps Red Bull Racing has sorted out the plan to go about their business in the post-Newey era.
Nevertheless, the fans will always credit Adrian Newey for designing the cars that helped the Austrian team get back their hegemony in the cost cap era. For eight years in a row, the Horner and Newey duo used to lose to Mercedes in the turbo-hybrid era. However, the resurgence of Red Bull happened after FIA introduced the ground effect and cost cap rules. Lately, though, F1 unveils the 2026 regulations. Later, Newey said the governing body must be planning to help a couple of teams dethrone Red Bull.
Is Adrian Newey Pointing Fingers At Mercedes And Ferrari?
Recently, the governing body released a brief list of regulations that will apply from 2026 onwards. As per the new set of regulations, there will be a radical change in engine specs as well as aerodynamics. Hence, these changes sparked excitement among fans all over. But one person who was not that pleased was quite understandably Adrian Newey, the chief technology officer of RBR. Moreover, he made his dislike known in a recent interview with Motorsport. Newey told the magazine that one or a couple of constructors may have influenced the governing body heavily regarding the 2026 regulations. On top of that, Newey said FIA tried to “Appease those but also tried to attract the other teams.”
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Why might two of those manufacturers be Mercedes and Ferrari? On the brief list, there were several impactful changes. But the most impactful ones were regarding the power units. As per the new regulations, the engines will become an essential factor again that will give certain teams an edge. Changes from overtaking aides, then to extra dependence on the electric component are some of the most impactful ones. Both Ferrari and Mercedes have proven prowess in those departments. Hence, it is quite likely that Adrian Newey was talking about the two other powerhouses.
How FIA Tried To Attract Ford & Audi?
According to Adrian Newey, the governing body tried to appease one or two teams. But that’s not all. Newey feels that F1 and FIA have tried to attract interest from the outside. That proves why Audi will join the sport in 2026. On top of that, Red Bull has found a new engine partner in Ford after their collaboration with Honda ends in 2025.
Nevertheless, the 65-year-old design chief is not confident about the fact that the rules are “Sustainable?” Newey says constructors come and go, except Ferrari though. Teams run the business and attract the public. Most importantly, Newey thinks that it is essential that they give the public a “Good show.” They reward them with varieties.
Stay tuned with Sports News International for more such updates about your favorite F1 team.
