Red Bull faced a surprising blow just before the Miami GP this year when renowned car designer and aerodynamic mastermind Adrian Newey parted ways with the team. After months of rumors and speculation, Newey stepped down from his role as Chief Technical Officer and is set to leave the team by mid-2025. Adding to the shock, Newey has been recruited by Aston Martin, who will serve as a technical head and hold a stake in the company.
This move is considered the start of all the miseries for the Bulls. The Milton Keynes-based outfit had an incredible start to the season, extending the 2023 unicorn season. However, things have gone downhill since the announcement of Newey’s exit. F1 experts have linked the two events, claiming the Briton played a crucial part in RBR’s success. However, Red Bull chief Christian Horner has quashed all the claims, marking it as a mere coincidence.
Durian Newey’s Exit Had No Role In Red Bull’s Negative Trajectory
Christian Horner discussed the contrasting phases of the current F1 season, noting that the first seven or eight races showcased Red Bull’s strength. However, he observed a significant shift in dynamics around the Miami GP, which he described as a moment when it felt like a switch had been flipped. Horner emphasized that this change had no connection to Adrian Newey’s departure announcement. In Miami, Horner acknowledged that the car had an imbalance despite Max Verstappen securing pole position. Verstappen expressed dissatisfaction with the car’s handling, and during the race, Red Bull faced misfortune with the safety car. Meanwhile, McLaren made substantial improvements, unveiling a nearly entirely new car that weekend, which allowed them to tap into significant potential.
Following Miami, the RBR chief noted that Verstappen struggled with the car’s balance, and Sergio Perez’s difficulties became increasingly evident. Perez has faced challenges since the Miami race. Moroever, the Briton pointed out that something seemed to change at that moment, as other teams became more competitive, or Red Bull’s modifications to the car led to negative repercussions.
Horner acknowledged the skepticism surrounding the situation, reflecting on how Red Bull had previously dominated races by significant margins. He recalled hearing from Stefano Domenicali that viewer ratings would decline if this trend continued. The pressure mounted to halt the trend of winning races by 20 seconds. Horner speculated that there might be something amiss, as even reverting to the car from earlier in the season wouldn’t necessarily resolve the ongoing issues. Despite the challenges, he stated that any changes experienced by Red Bull were felt across the grid. He expressed surprise at the extreme turnaround in the season and underscored the importance of understanding these developments.
Red Bull’s Hope Hinges On Las Vegas GP Floor Upgrade
The Red Bull technical team, led by Pierre Wache, is preparing to launch a new floor upgrade at the Austin Grand Prix. This enhancement is viewed as potentially pivotal for the championship race. Due to the tight schedule between the Singapore and U.S. GPs, the team could only make minor adjustments to the car.
The true impact of these changes will be assessed after receiving feedback from both drivers. The team is optimistic that this upgrade will help close the 41-point gap behind McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship standings.
