Author: quyen1

The Formula One circus makes its next stop in sunny Florida this week for the Miami Grand Prix.

This will be the third time this race has been run – with the previous two races dominated by Red Bull Racing.

Max Verstappen, who won both races, is back in Miami with the hopes of a three-peat on his mind.

Of course, Red Bull would be just as happy if his teammate Sergio Perez continued their run of dominance on this track.

But other drivers have shown up as well – including Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes and both Ferrari drivers: Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.

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The Miami Grand Prix has taken over the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida

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Red Bull teammates Max Verstappen (R) and Sergio Perez (L) pose for a photo

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Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton arrives at the paddock during Miami Grand Prix previews

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Ferrari teammates Charles Leclerc (L) and Carlos Sainz (R) arrived wearing blue

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The typical Formula One infield has instead been placed on the field at the Dolphins’ stadium

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A smiling Daniel Ricciardo of Visa Cash App RB speaks to the media in Miami

This marks the sixth race of what has already looked like another season of Red Bull dominance.

Both Verstappen and Perez are atop the driver standings – with the Dutchman on 110 points and his Mexican counterpart at 85 points.

Behind the both of them is the Ferrari duo of Leclerc and Sainz on 76 and 69 points respectively.

Verstappen has won all but one race – the Australian Grand Prix, where Sainz took home the top prize.

Like other years, the Miami Grand Prix should be a perfect opportunity for celebrities to come out and soak up some sun and breathe in some burning rubber (if they ever get that close to the track).

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McLaren driver Lando Norris takes a picture inside the Hard Rock Stadium

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McLaren driver Oscar Piastri arrives wearing a Miami Heat jersey to the paddock

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Williams driver Logan Sargeant is racing in what he calls his ‘backyard’ grand prix this week

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Inter Miami striker Luis Suarez gets a behind-the-scenes look at the Miami Grand Prix

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The race will be taking place at the Miami International Autodrome in Miami Gardens

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The track winds itself around the Hard Rock Stadium, home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins

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Final preparations for the race are underway as the track and facilities are finished up

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After a busy week of qualifying and sprints, the race begins on Sunday at 4:00pm local time

Among the planned appearances includes Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, as the power couple have confirmed their attendance.

Kelce will be joined by his fellow Kansas City Chiefs star, quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He’ll be joined by his wife Brittany.

It’s unclear if 45th President of the United States Donald Trump will be showing up after a planned fundraiser he wanted to set up at the race was shut down by race officials for violating the suite agreement.

A cease and desist letter was sent to a friend of the former president, saying, ‘It has come to our attention that you may be using your Paddock Club Rooftop Suite for a political purpose, namely raising money for a federal election at $250,000 per ticket, which clearly violates the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix suite license agreement.

‘If this is true, we regret to inform you that your suite license will be revoked, you will not be allowed to attend the race at any time, and we will refund you in full.’

Lewis Hamilton has revealed he ‘very much’ wants to work with design guru Adrian Newey at Ferrari next season.

The positivity of Hamilton’s comments indicated that a deal to sign Newey is firmly in Ferrari’s thoughts, and, probably, even further nearer completion.

With Newey, 65, due to leave Red Bull next year, Hamilton was asked if he wanted to link. ‘Very much,’ he responded before adding: ‘Adrian Newey has got such a great history and track record and he has done an amazing job throughout his career. With the knowledge he has he would be an amazing addition.’

Hamilton added: ‘They (Ferrari) have got a great team and they are making huge progress and their car is quicker this year, but it would be a privilege to work with him.

‘If I made a list of people I would like to work with then he (Newey) would absolutely be at the top of it.

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Red Bull confirmed the departure of F1’s most successful designer Adrian Newey next spring

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Lewis Hamilton will join Ferrari next season and Newey has been tipped to make same move

‘Any team would be fortunate to have the opportunity to work with him.’

It seems that Hamilton may even have spoken to Ferrari chairman John Elkann about signing Newey prior to committing his own future to the Scuderia earlier in the year.

He dodged answering whether Newey’s name was first brought up, saying it was ‘private’ – which was telling.

Hamilton, 39, added: ‘From my perspective when I joined McLaren (in 2006) it was an evolution of his car.

‘I got there just after he left and it was linked to the concept he had worked on, so I felt privileged I could touch something he had worked on.’

Newey’s impending departure was announced this week in a blow to Red Bull, where he has grown disillusioned over time. The potential role at Ferrari could conceivably double his money from £15million – though it is the challenge of adding to his 25 world titles as a designer in the iconic red that appears to hold the real allure. Doing so would make him a winner at four teams, comprising Williams, McLaren and Red Bull (and then Ferrari).

Red Bull’s Sergio Perez said he didn’t believe Newey’s departure would trigger a mass exodus from the embattled team. The Mexican said: ‘It is obviously not ideal to lose someone like Adrian who has been tremendous to our team and our organisation. He is a good friend of mine.

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Newey is a legendary F1 designer and has been key to Red Bull and Max Verstappen’s success

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A Hamilton-Newey combination at Ferrari could reignite both in the autumn of their careers

‘But there are times in life to do something else and he has been at Red Bull for 20 years so it is fair.

‘I don’t think there will be an exodus. Everyone is fully committed to the team. We are having a tremendous season. The future looks bright. It is normal you have this kind of movement but the organisation remains strong and I don’t see any more changes in that regard.

‘Adrian has contributed to the Red Bull philosophy and I assume he would cause an immediate impact whoever he goes because he is a very clever guy and hard worker. He is much more than a designer. He influence set-up, strategies and he has a big impact on race weekends.’

Max Verstappen isn’t planning on leaving Red Bull amid Adrian Newey’s shock exit from the team.

Not yet, at least.

The reigning world champion addressed speculation he’s reconsidering his future at the team ahead of the Miami Grand Prix Thursday.

‘Not at the moment,’ he told reporters, when asked whether recent events, including Christian Horner‘s scandal, were affecting his decision-making.

‘I cannot deny that I would have preferred [Newey] to stay because of how he is as a person, his knowledge and what he would bring to potentially another team,’ Verstappen admitted.

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Max Verstappen said changes at Red Bull aren’t having an impact on his future – yet

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Chief technology officer Adrian Newey made the shock announcement that he’s departing

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Newey’s exit comes a few weeks after Christian Horner was embroiled in a scandal of his own

However, the Dutch driver said he has faith in the rest of Red Bull’s design team, noting that the Chief Technology Officer’s role had ‘changed’ a lot since he joined in 2006.

‘A lot of good people came into the team and that has strengthened that whole department,’ he explained.

‘I trust that the technical team we have outside of Adrian is very strong,’ Verstappen went on, citing the car’s rapid performance over the past few seasons.

Meanwhile, Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton said he ‘very much’ wants to work with Newey when he joins the Italian constructor next season.

‘Adrian Newey has got such a great history and track record and he has done an amazing job throughout his career. With the knowledge he has he would be an amazing addition,’ the seven-time world champion told reporters Thursday.

‘They (Ferrari) have got a great team and they are making huge progress and their car is quicker this year, but it would be a privilege to work with him,’ he went on.

‘If I made a list of people I would like to work with then he (Newey) would absolutely be at the top of it.’

Miami Grand Prix weekend is officially up and running after Formula One stars took to the track for the first time in a practice session on Friday.

The likes of Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and reigning champion Max Verstappen went through the gears at the Miami International Autodrome two days out from Sunday’s race, with the latter recording the fastest time at 1:28:595.

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, Mercedes’ George Russell and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll made up the rest of the top five.

Later on Friday, drivers will return to the track for qualifying ahead of Saturday afternoon’s sprint race, which takes place a few hours before qualifying for the main event is contested.

Verstappen has won four races out of five this season, with Sainz the only driver to beat him so far at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in March.

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Miami Grand Prix weekend is officially up and running after Formula One stars took to the track for the first time in a practice session on Friday

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Reigning champion Max Verstappen recorded the fastest time in practice at at 1:28:595

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Drivers will return to the track later on Friday for qualifying ahead of Saturday’s sprint race

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Red Bull team principal Christian Horner looks on ahead of the practice session in Miami

The Red Bull superstar addressed his future with the team on Thursday amid speculation that it is uncertain following the shock departure of car designer Adrian Newey.

The scandal surrounding Christian Horner, who was recently accused of ‘coercive behavior towards a female employee’, is another factor which some believe has left Verstappen’s future in doubt.

‘Not at the moment,’ he told reporters, when asked whether recent events were affecting his decision-making.

‘I cannot deny that I would have preferred [Newey] to stay because of how he is as a person, his knowledge and what he would bring to potentially another team,’ Verstappen admitted.

Despite Newey’s exit, the Dutch driver said he has faith in the rest of Red Bull’s design team, noting that the Chief Technology Officer’s role had ‘changed’ a lot since he joined in 2006.

‘A lot of good people came into the team and that has strengthened that whole department,’ he explained.

‘I trust that the technical team we have outside of Adrian is very strong,’ Verstappen went on, citing the car’s rapid performance over the past few seasons.

Meanwhile, Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton said he ‘very much’ wants to work with Newey when he joins the Italian constructor next season.

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Daniel Ricciardo of AlphaTauri finished 11th in practice at the International Autodrome

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Charles Leclerc of Ferrari climbs from his car after spinning on track during practice

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Lewis Hamilton arrived at the track head to toe in Tommy Hilfiger clothing on Friday

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Hamilton, seen completing a pit stop, finished seventh with a time of 1:29:012

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Verstappen addressed his Red Bulls future on Thursday amid speculation it is uncertain

‘Adrian Newey has got such a great history and track record and he has done an amazing job throughout his career. With the knowledge he has he would be an amazing addition,’ the seven-time world champion told reporters Thursday.

‘They (Ferrari) have got a great team and they are making huge progress and their car is quicker this year, but it would be a privilege to work with him,’ he went on.

‘If I made a list of people I would like to work with then he (Newey) would absolutely be at the top of it.’

A number of celebrities are due to be at this weekend’s Grand Prix, including Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, who are expected to attend with Patrick and Brittany Mahomes.

Luis Suarez is also in Miami this week, with the Inter Miami striker seen playing a game of headers with Sainz on Thursday.

Credits: IMAGO/ZUMA Wire

Ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton grabbed the headlines as he shut down the fifth avenue lane in New York. Amid the promo event, New York’s mayor asked Hamilton not to perform donuts on the streets. However, the British driver did not pay much heed to the warning and proceeded with the spectacle.

Speaking to Gayle King in an interview with CBS Mornings, Hamilton detailed the reason behind not following the orders. The Mercedes driver revealed his car did not have the turning circle to make a U-turn. Furthermore, he claimed that it was a spectacle that energizes people. 

“I don’t have very good turning in this thing. So, you can’t do, like, an easy U-turn. So I had to do donuts. But that also creates a spectacle, and I think that gets people energized.”

The #44 driver’s outing was part of a public relations event between Mercedes and WhatsApp. The union between the two entities began last year, just before the first American race of 2023. Hence, the special outing marked the first anniversary of the partnership between both companies. The spectacle in New York was also significant for Hamilton on a more personal level, given his childhood dream. 

A special feeling for Lewis Hamilton in New York

Driving down the streets of New York brought out the emotions of Lewis Hamilton, who, as a child, dreamed of coming to New York someday. Having never stepped out of his home country, Hamilton’s knowledge of the Big Apple was limited to what he read in magazines and saw in movies. That was all the exposure the British driver needed to dream of traveling to the country. 

When he turned 17, Hamilton’s parents took him to the Big Apple for the first time. Standing on Fifth Avenue, just outside the Empire State Building, he decided to drive the F1 car up and down the street.

Having finally fulfilled the dream, Hamilton explained the moment as “very surreal.” He also appreciated the fans who came to see him drive and welcomed him with a warm reception. The Briton added it was great to see how the American audience has embraced the sport of F1.

Credits: IMAGO Marco Canoniero, IMAGO / Andreas Beil

Ever since Christian Horner’s falling out with Max Verstappen’s father, Jos, the 26-year-old’s stay at Red Bull has come under question. Many believe that Max is on an exit course and courting the likes of Mercedes. However, Jenson Button has rubbished such claims, countering with one of his own.

The 2009 F1 champion, in an interview with Sky F1, said, “He doesn’t need to leave, you know. He’s in such a strong position right now. I personally feel Max will see his career out at Red Bull. That’s what I feel, whether that’s three years, five years, whatever it is. I think he will finish his career at Red Bull.”

Speculations over Max Verstappen’s Red Bull stay emerged when Jos Verstappen made a sensational claim. Citing the divisive consequences of Horner’s presence after the investigation, the ex-F1 driver predicted the ‘implosion’ of Red Bull. He openly called for Horner’s ouster from the team before the eventual reality struck the Austrian outfit.

Max backed his father, claiming he was ‘not a liar’. However, when it came to speculations on his exit, the reigning champion has always expressed his willingness to honor the contract. That too comes with an asterisk, though. As Helmut Marko’s position on the team came under question, the Dutchman expressed his readiness to leave with him.

Rumors have once again picked momentum in the aftermath of Adrian Newey’s departure. Max is said to share great camaraderie with the master aerodynamicist and could follow in his footsteps. Button, however, made the claim on Max’s stay before Newey’s exit was made official.

Max Verstappen yet to break silence on Adrian Newey’s departure

Adrian Newey will officially leave Red Bull after the first quarter of 2025. Until then, he will serve his gardening leave by ceasing to work on the RB20 or any F1-related projects.

He will, however, continue to work on Red Bull’s ambitious hypercar project, the RB17. While the void he leaves would be difficult for Red Bull to fill, the 65-year-old himself believes the team is in good hands.

Red Bull, in its official announcement of Newey’s exit, quoted him as saying, “It has been a real privilege, and I am confident that the engineering Team are well prepared for the work going into the final evolution of the car under the four-year period of this regulation set.”

Christian Horner issued a heartfelt statement as well, recalling the glorious years spent with Newey. Max Verstappen, however, is yet to react to the exit of the mastermind behind his mega success.

The Miami GP race weekend is set to kick off soon. The Dutchman will most likely share his thoughts then. What would additionally be interesting to know is if he clears the stance of his own stay at Milton Keynes. His availability is capable of adding to the chaos in the already ensuing silly season.

Credits: IMAGO / Marco Canoniero

Adrian Newey has made the big call to end his 19-year-long association with Red Bull. The British designer will leave the Milton Keynes outfit in the first quarter of 2025. His future after that is yet up for speculation. Now, Ferrari is one of the most likely destinations for Newey to start a fresh chapter. However, the Honda partnership that is impending for 2026 at Aston Martin could sway the 65-year-old’s mind to go to the Silverstone team.

Aston Martin will leave Mercedes as its power unit supplier to onboard the Japanese manufacturer which has a market capitalization of $57 billion approximately. Given Newey has extensive experience working with Honda engines during his time at Red Bull, it would be a seamless transition.

Despite Honda’s official exit from the sport after 2021, they have been supplying Red Bull with their engines and will do so till 2025. 2026 will see the Japanese brand’s return as an engine manufacturer for the new sustainable engine regulations.

Newey‘s impeccable run of championships at Red Bull has a big share of contribution from Honda’s power units. 13 of the Briton’s 25 championships have come with a Honda engine. So, the 65-year-old would give it a thought to get the chance of working with the Sakura-based engine manufacturer again at Aston Martin.

Now, Autosport has reported that the Briton has ruled out a move to Silverstone. However, other factors can also stimulate Newey to choose Aston Martin over Ferrari after his Red Bull exit is completed.

Fernando Alonso could lure Adrian Newey to Aston Martin

Last year, Adrian Newey said in an interview how he regrets not working with Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, and Fernando Alonso, during his illustrious career. With his current position, the Briton can fulfill either of those wishes. While moving to the Maranello outfit will help him fulfill two of those at one go, working with Alonso is a big deal in itself.

The Spaniard is yet working incredibly hard to win his third championship since 2006. Even he has expressed the wish to work with the Red Bull genius several times in the past. So, with Aston Martin’s ambition of becoming a champion team, Newey can align his expectations too with Alonso and Co.

Moreover, even Lawrence Stroll is a big factor in this deal. The Canadian businessman is quite persistent in getting the best personnel for his F1 operation. There have been reports that say Stroll wants Newey at any cost.

These reports and rumors also suggest that Aston Martin had put forth a very lucrative deal to sign Newey. Amid the Red Bull internal turmoil, these rumors have been doing the rounds since the Saudi Arabian GP.

However, similar rumors have come about Ferrari pursuing the Red Bull CTO. Now, it will be interesting to see what Newey decides as his next move for his future.

Credits: Imago |
L: Eddie Jordan R: Adrian Newey

Amid Adrian Newey’s Red Bull exit, the speculation over his future move is rife. However, his manager, Eddie Jordan, is reminiscing some old anecdotes about the British designer’s career switches back in the day. Jordan revealed on the Formula for Success podcast that he once tried to sign Newey for his team but failed to do so.

Jordan said, “I tried to sign him. I remember going to his house and leaving a cheque for half a million and hope that might have been enough to entice him, and come and be a designer at Jordan. That didn’t happen, he went to McLaren”.

Back in the day in 1996-97, Newey was looking to leave Williams. This was also the time when the Jordan F1 team was making some good strides in the midfield. Still, the Irishman, as he admitted, could not sign him and Newey spent the next eight years at McLaren.

It was not until 2005 that the Briton decided to join Red Bull, which was a lower midfield team back then. However, with the help of Newey’s brilliance, they began to dominate F1 from 2010 to 2013 and were perennial Grand Prix winners even during the years Mercedes dominated.

However, Newey is ending his long-term stay at the Milton Keynes outfit in the first quarter of 2025. After almost two decades at a champion team like Red Bull, everyone is curious about where would the British aerodynamicist head next. However, Jordan thinks that it is not as simple, given Newey has been under immense “pressure” at the Austrian team.

Eddie Jordan thinks Adrian Newey may take some time off from F1

Eddie Jordan highlighted that the pressure of winning so many races and consistently delivering on those expectations might have taken a lot from Adrian Newey. So, it would be best for him to take some time off from F1.

The Irishman did not dismiss any possibility of the 65-year-old wanting to go to any other team like Ferrari. Currently, the Italian team along with Aston Martin are two rumored teams wanting to sign the British designer.

However, Newey has been working at the pinnacle of motorsport relentlessly since the 1990s. As a result, Jordan thinks he won’t be surprised to see the Red Bull CTO take a break.

Newey reportedly is also designing a yacht – the Oyster 885, which costs about $5 million. So, the 65-year-old may take the yacht, when ready, on a cruise after his Red Bull exit in early 2025.

Credits: IMAGO / NurPhoto

In March 2024, Lewis Hamilton found himself in the thick of things when he signed a Ferrari cap in Malaysia. In his first fan meet since the event, it looks like Lewis Hamilton has learned from his mistakes. With fans lining up to get Hamilton to sign their merchandise, the Briton exclusively called out for them to hand him only Mercedes-related items, as seen in the clip uploaded on X by @goatforty4. 

“Mercedes caps. No Ferrari caps”, the Mercedes driver said.

While Hamilton’s earlier actions did not sit well with a lot of Mercedes fans, his latest comment would surely do some damage repair. Some even became emotional upon seeing their favorite driver set off on the journey to transition into a Ferrari driver.

Reportedly, Hamilton was attending a PR event for Almave in Miami ahead of the first American race of 2024. The seven-time world champion introduced the non-alcoholic tequila to American audiences back in October 2023.

It comes in two variants, namely – Ambar and Blanco. Per the company, the drink uses Blue Agave as its base but skips the fermentation process to keep the drink non-alcoholic. 

Fans react to Lewis Hamilton saying no to Ferrari caps

With Hamilton busy signing only Mercedes merch in Miami, fans quickly drew comparisons between his latest actions to those in Malaysia. They took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their thoughts, as many of them claimed the Mercedes marketing department had to sit down with Hamilton again. 

Some fans speculated Toto Wolff had something to do with Hamilton’s words from behind the scenes.

Meanwhile, another claimed Hamilton would be doing the opposite from 2025.

Several other fans also joined the discussion.

After completing PR duties, Hamilton will now look to shift his focus to serving his on-track duties with Mercedes. So far, the Brackley-based track hasn’t found much success in 2024. However, with the first upgrades of the season heading their way in Miami, the Silver Arrows will be hoping for the tide to take a positive turn.

Credits: Imago

After 19 years of service with Red Bull, Adrian Newey is finally on his way out of the Austrian outfit. Following the same, most reports link him with a famous move to Ferrari, while some suggest he could be a Mercedes man. However, legendary former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan thinks that Newey might want to calm things down a bit. 

Speaking alongside his co-host David Coulthard in their YouTube podcast Formula For Success, Eddie Jordan glossed over the two-decade-long career of Adrian Newey with Red Bull. Per Jordan, Newey has been under “ridiculous amounts of pressure” throughout his tenure in Milton Keynes. Hence, the 76-year-old believes that Newey might want to take some time off and “cruise for a while.”

“If he’s going to take time out and just cruise for a while, everyone would understand that. And I think that’s probably more likely to see rather than diving into any other possible employement career.”

Should Newey opt to step away from F1, he will leave behind a glorious legacy. Throughout his tenure, the car design genius came up with 12 championship-winning cars (constructors). Most of the British engineer’s wins came with Red Bull – a partnership that began in 2006. The Austrian team won their first championship with Newey in 2010 and successfully defended their title till 2013. The outfit returned to winning ways in 2022 and captured the championship again in 2023, marking yet another successful campaign for Newey. Given all he has achieved, David Coulthard believes Newey’s departure from Red Bull should be more of a celebration.

David Coulthard calls for the Adrian Newey departure to not be taken as a sad exit

Speaking further in the podcast, former Red Bull driver David Coulthard shared his thoughts on the latest happening in F1. The former driver opined that Newey’s departure was a significant movement in the sport, much like that of Lewis Hamilton moving to Ferrari. However, he added that even the most successful careers in F1 come to an end, and Newey wasn’t immune to that. 

Hence, the British driver-turned-expert called for the news to be more of a celebration of Newey’s incredible career. Rather than talking about it as a “World-defining event,” Coulthard wants people to applaud all that the engineer from the UK has achieved in F1. 

With experts opining it might be time for Newey to step away from the sport, Newey could kick back and relax in a comfortable environment. Or, he could perhaps continue being a part of motorsports, acting as a mentor or an advisor to a team. No matter what he does, the legacy that Newey will leave behind will serve as the benchmark for car designers in F1 for years to come.