F1 insider Craig Slater has revealed that despite their professional achievements, Max Verstappen and Adrian Newey did not share a strong personal connection while working together at Red Bull. This insight emerges as surprising given how essential both figures were to Red Bull’s dominance in recent Formula 1 seasons. The focus keyword, Max Verstappen Adrian Newey relationship, underlines the complexity behind one of the sport’s most successful partnerships.
Adrian Newey joined Red Bull in 2006 as one of the team‘s earliest major signings, immediately becoming a cornerstone of their technical development. His expertise in aerodynamics helped Red Bull secure its rise to the front of the grid starting in 2010, a period marked by multiple championships and consistent race wins.
The Evolution of Red Bull’s Performance and the Role of Verstappen
This dominant era lasted until 2013, but Red Bull’s supremacy faded in 2014 when the introduction of the Mercedes power unit shifted the competitive balance. Red Bull struggled with their Renault engine and found themselves losing ground. The landscape changed when Honda became their power unit partner, resulting in a much more competitive car.
Max Verstappen joined Red Bull in 2016 and quickly became a leading figure, his arrival coinciding with Honda’s engine improvements. This combination ended the team‘s seven-year championship drought when Verstappen won the title in 2021. Newey’s designs and Verstappen’s driving were instrumental in returning Red Bull to the top of the sport.
It was only after Newey’s departure in 2024 that Red Bull began to show signs of decline, prompting speculation about Verstappen’s future. Rumors surfaced suggesting Verstappen might follow Newey to Aston Martin, although recent indications imply Mercedes could be a potential destination if Verstappen decides to leave Red Bull.
Insights Into Verstappen and Newey’s Personal and Professional Dynamic
On the Sky Sports segment ‘Ted’s Podbook,’ Craig Slater addressed the relationship between the Dutch driver and the legendary aerodynamicist. Slater explained that while there was mutual professional respect, personally the two were not particularly close. He stated:
“He also pointed [out] that he did not want to comment on Perez’s claim that since Adrian Newey has gone, that’s been the trigger of all Red Bull’s issues. People tell me that they did not have… I’m not saying Max and Adrian Newey had a kind of problem relationship at Red Bull. But I’m not sure that they were the closest of companions in arms, if you like. That’s been expressed to me.” —Craig Slater, F1 Insider
Verstappen entered the team in 2016 when Newey was already an established figure in Formula 1. However, Newey’s involvement had diminished somewhat due to the challenges posed by the Renault power unit’s limitations. With Honda’s improved engines, Newey resumed a more active role, contributing significantly to Verstappen’s subsequent success.
Slater further clarified the dynamic between the two, adding:
“Professionally, I do think they hold each other in high regard, but what I’m saying is it’s been expressed by one or two people that they didn’t maybe click as personalities.” —Craig Slater, F1 Insider
What Lies Ahead for Both Verstappen and Newey?
As the Formula 1 calendar moves to the Austrian Grand Prix, Adrian Newey is currently working at Aston Martin, focusing on next year’s car development. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen’s future remains uncertain, with discussions ongoing about whether he will stay with Red Bull or move to a rival team. This situation adds intrigue to the team dynamics within the sport, especially considering the significance both have had at Red Bull.
The Max Verstappen Adrian Newey relationship thus remains a nuanced subject, illustrating how personal dynamics can differ significantly from professional collaboration, even among the most successful partnerships in Formula 1 history. Their story highlights that behind team glory often lie complicated individual interactions, which could influence future decisions and the sport’s competitive landscape.
