Adrian Newey to Red Bull (Confirmed by Red Bull)

Ed · Post by Ed » Tue Nov 08, 2005 4:57 pm

There is mounting speculation that McLaren's Technical Director Adrian Newey is about to sign a deal with Red Bull Racing!

Newey has renewed his contract with McLaren for 2006 however it is believed to be only a short term contract.

If this is confirmed, expect Newey to be on gardening leave until his contract with McLaren ends.
Such a move would deal a blow to McLaren and may trigger a few other key personnel to move including Kimi Raikkonen who is already rumoured to be heading to Ferrari in 2007.

This move would also indicate that Red Bull are serious about moving up the order in Formula 1 and not remain as a midfield team.

Adrian Newey is widely considered to be one of the best Formula 1 designers today having designed several World Championship winning cars for a number of teams.

Newey moved to McLaren from Williams in 1997 and in 2001 he signed a deal with Bobby Rahal the boss of Jaguar Racing however Ron Dennis managed to convince him to stay at McLaren.

We'll provide updates on this as soon as it becomes available.

Kapel · Post by **Kapel** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 7:02 pm

Now this could be a big blow for Mclaren!!!
If he has to be on gardening leave in 2006,it'll be difficult for Mclaren to replace him quickly & develop the car thru 2006...

Kapel · Post by **Kapel** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 10:17 pm

Its official: Adrian Newey to join RedBull at the end of February 2006!!!

Ed · Post by Ed » Wed Nov 09, 2005 12:07 am

Thanks Kapel.

A statement from Red Bull confirmed that Adrian Newey will join Red Bull Racing as their Chief Technical Officer at the end of February 2006.

Newey had extended his contract with McLaren in April of this year. At the time it was believed the extension was for a short term although McLaren were confident his long term future is with them.

It is expected that Newey will be on gardening leave until he joins Red Bull.

<T-K> · Post by **<T-K>** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 12:48 am

I wonder if that will nw give Kimi all the more reason to leave Mclaren in 2007...

Have Mclaren confirmed who will be replacing Newey yet??????

GhoGho · Post by **GhoGho** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 3:43 am

A Newey design, Ferrari power, and Michelin boots.......now thats what I would call an interesting proposition. Could this be the start of a REAL major contender????
Maybe DC's time will still come.

Can't wait for the new season

<T-K> · Post by **<T-K>** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 5:35 am

GhoGho wrote:A Newey design, Ferrari power, and Michelin boots.......now thats what I would call an interesting proposition. Could this be the start of a REAL major contender????
Maybe DC's time will still come.

Can't wait for the new season

You know, i actually never thought of it from that perspective, if the car does become really competitive, maybe D.C will be in with a chance.....all hope is not yet lost....

But then again, if Red Bull do become more competitive then maybe they will want some new, fresh drivers, (maybe a Scott Speed, Tonio Liuzzi lineup in 2007)...and will get rid of the older guy.... maybe they will feel that D.C has passed his expiration date, maybe they will use him next year because of his experience then let him go in '07........maybe..

JayVee · Post by **JayVee** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 8:55 am

This must be the most interesting thing of the off season so far. Red Bull are serious and I can't wait to see them trounce Ferrari next year!! (But I wonder though if they will really get the same engine as Ferrari

)
If they don't, they'll just make a deal with another manufacturer.

I agree with GhoGho, perhaps Coulthard's time has yet to come (I still reckon though he will always finish 5th or 6th regardless of the car

)

rah · Post by **rah** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 1:11 pm

It will be interesting to see RBR improve through the year. He obviously will not have too much time to have an impact at the start of the year, but as the season progresses I think we will see a big improvement in RBR.

JayVee · Post by **JayVee** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 3:57 pm

Red Bull were the surprise of the season and I wouldn't be surprised to see them make another step next year. Agree that Newey won't be able to do much on next year's car but the 2007 Red Bull will be something especially if the CDG is adopted!!

GhoGho · Post by **GhoGho** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 11:46 pm

On the flip side - does this mean that Kimi and JPM (McLaren) wont have a shot next year??
Maybe with the stability Renault will still be the team (JayVee smiling already!)

Ah...........the questions that go round my head......... will they ever stop???

<T-K> · Post by **<T-K>** » Thu Nov 10, 2005 2:08 am

I honestly think that D.C will get one year to make it big, and he will be dumped by red Bull in 2007 (if they do well that is) so that they can get younger drivers, but if D.C were to have a good showing next year (maybe top 5 in the W.D.C) then they will let him stick around....

AAHH, what am i going on about...this thread isnt for D.C, its meant to be about Adrian Newey....

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Tue Nov 15, 2005 2:59 pm

JayVee wrote:This must be the most interesting thing of the off season so far. Red Bull are serious and I can't wait to see them trounce Ferrari next year!! (But I wonder though if they will really get the same engine as Ferrari )
If they don't, they'll just make a deal with another manufacturer.

I agree with GhoGho, perhaps Coulthard's time has yet to come (I still reckon though he will always finish 5th or 6th regardless of the car )

That lovely old rumour factory has Red Bull using Ilmor badged Audi (VW) engines in 2008. Then, if the engines are successful Audi will buy out Torro Rosso in 2009, and enter F1 in its own right.. Gerhard Berger is said to be heavily involved in the negotiations.
It should be remembered that Mercedes entered F1 under the Ilmor disguise

JayVee · Post by **JayVee** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 4:24 pm

This rumour can't be true because Illmor are owned by Mercedes and I doubt WV/Audi would want to use Mercedes engines.

But I think Red Bull will very soon find out that they can't win using Ferrari engines and they'll have to find a major manufacturer and that could be WV but it could also by Hyundai !!!

Julian Mayo · Post by **Julian Mayo** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 4:47 pm

JayVee wrote:This rumour can't be true because Illmor are owned by Mercedes and I doubt WV/Audi would want to use Mercedes engines.

But I think Red Bull will very soon find out that they can't win using Ferrari engines and they'll have to find a major manufacturer and that could be WV but it could also by Hyundai !!!

Or TATA . Hmmm, a water injection diesel V8