- Red Bull
Newey to step back from F1 role with new Red Bull contract
Adrian Newey has signed a new three-year Red Bull contract that will see him work on other projects alongside Formula One for the Austrian company from next year onwards.
The news puts an end to speculation that Ferrari might poach Newey from Red Bull, but looks likely to see the British designer step back from his day-to-day involvement at the team at the end of this season. His new role will see him become a mentor for the Formula One operation, while taking on new projects that will be detailed later in the summer.
"Red Bull is pleased to confirm that it has extended its successful relationship with Adrian Newey with a new multi-year agreement," a statement said. "As part of this new agreement, Adrian will work on new Red Bull Technology projects, as well as advising and mentoring Infiniti Red Bull Racing as it develops its Formula One cars over the next few seasons. The details of the new projects will be announced in due course."
Team principal Christian Horner was quick to play down the impact Newey's new role would have on the F1 team.
"We've got tremendous strength in depth," he said. "It's not like he's not going to be about anymore so it's great for the team, Red Bull and for him."
Newey joined Red Bull from McLaren in 2006 and was fundamental to the team's success over the past four years with Sebastian Vettel. He currently heads up a design team at the team's factory in Milton Keynes, but exactly how that will change under his new role remains unclear.
Horner added: "We'll have a further clarification a bit later in the summer."
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