The engineer acknowledges that he is considering switching teams and doing “another four or five years.” He confesses that he did not participate in any engineering meetings at the Miami Grand Prix.
Adrian Newey announced several weeks ago that his time at Red Bull had come to an end, at least in terms of the Formula 1 project. But that does not mean he plans to say goodbye to the sport altogether.
Initially reluctant, and stating that he wanted to rest, it now seems he is convinced that it’s only a ‘see you soon’ as he plans to start afresh with another team. “I feel a bit tired at the moment, but I will probably return at some point,” he has confirmed, according to Soy Motor.
Newey’s departure did not come as a surprise to many. When the Horner case erupted, and despite seeming calmer now, discord was sown within Red Bull. According to the latest reports, this was one of the reasons why the man considered the greatest engineer of all time has stepped back.
Christian Horner has recently addressed these speculations. Newey has also distanced himself from them. But it seems that the ‘genius’ is not ready to retire yet. The lucrative offer supposedly put on the table by Lawrence Stroll, and the call from Ferrari, appear to be tempting the Briton.
So, Newey has been more forthcoming and admitted that at 65 years old, he is “seriously considering changing teams, going somewhere else, and doing another four or five years or so.”
“If you had asked me 15 years ago if at 65 I would be seriously thinking about changing teams, going somewhere else and doing another four or five years, I would have told you that you were completely crazy,” he specifically stated in an interview with his manager, Eddie Jordan, for Oyster Yachts.
“I have wanted to work in motorsport as a designer since I was eight or ten years old,” he added.
He has not revealed his next destination, but he hints at a return after some rest. However, Ferrari seems to be the most viable option for him today.
Among other reasons, historically he has received offers from the Scuderia, which he always rejected to stay at Red Bull and now that he is no longer there, it could be a good opportunity. This includes the possibility of working with Lewis Hamilton, with whom he would be delighted to collaborate.
“I’m going to take a vacation. Like Forrest Gump said at the end of his long run, I am a bit tired now. But at some point, I will run again,” he compared himself to the fictional character.
For now, he will continue to travel to some races with Red Bull, as was scheduled. A detail that was notable in Miami, as he was on the team wall despite having announced his departure, and all eyes were on him.