The legendary F1 designer’s current contract is due to be renewed at the end of the year, prompting recent speculation that he could be targeted by rivals.

But against the backdrop of Red Bull’s RB19’s dominant start to the 2023 season, sources say the team and Newey have moved quickly to sort out the details of a new arrangement that will see them work together for many years to come. .

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Newey will continue in his role as chief technical officer, overseeing the progress of the Red Bull F1 team, advanced technology business and new powertrain division.

While no new contract was formally announced or how long it would last, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner welcomed the fact that Newey had formally committed to the team after initially joining the team in 2006.

“Adrian was such an important part almost from the beginning,” Horner told Autosport.

“He covers a lot of ground and it’s great to draw on his wealth of experience and knowledge and the way he works with young people.

“He’s as motivated as ever. He’s clearly very interested in powertrains and Red Bull’s advanced technology developments. So he covers the three pillars of the Milton Keynes campus.”

Christian Horner, Team Principal, Red Bull Racing, Adrian Newey, Chief Technical Officer, Red Bull Racing

Photography: Red Bull Content Pool

Horner reckons Red Bull’s setup, with Newey working with senior figures such as F1 technical director Pierre Vache and powertrain chief Ben Hodgkinson, could help play to his advantage.

“I think Pierre did a good job with the chassis,” added Horner. “We’ve got Ben Hodgkinson doing a great job on the powertrain and Rob Gray doing a great job on the advanced technology.

“It’s a people-centric business, which allows him (Newey) to apply his expertise. He doesn’t have to be on a particular subject every day. We’re able to draw on his vast experience across the team.”

Horner also said Newey was excited about the prospect of Red Bull producing its own engines from 2026 – meaning the team would design an entire package for the first time ever.

“Adrian was a very competent engineer in all things combustion-related,” Horner said. “You could see that he totally embraced the concept and saw the long-term potential that it really brought.”

Newey is considered one of F1’s most successful car designers, having won championships for Williams, McLaren and Red Bull during a hugely successful career in F1.