Adrian Newey to Ferrari: Bad News For Christian Horner as Red Bull Mastermind Comes Closer to Dream Move

7-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton has really set the cat among the pigeons. Earlier this year, he practically broke the internet with his announcement that he will join Scuderia Ferrari in 2025. Now, his move is slowly triggering a massive game of musical chairs in Formula One. The best part is that it is not just the drivers, but even team members that are involved in the reshuffle. One of the biggest names drawn into the jumble is none other than Red Bull technical ace, Adrian Newey.

Let’s make one thing clear: There is no official indication that the 65-year-old is leaving Red Bull. However, the rumor mill is always going to talk, and they seem to believe that his time with the outfit is coming to an end. It has now reached a stage where many believe that an official Red Bull statement confirming what everyone knew is imminent. These rumors apparently originated from sources close to the Briton.

What can people expect from the statement?

It is believed that the British technical wizard has reached an agreement to be released earlier from his Red Bull contract. The original Red Bull contract was expected to run until the end of the 2025 season. With Newey looking to terminate it early, it could free him up to take his ‘gardening leave’ before undertaking his next challenge in 2026. Notably, 2026 is when the new F1 regulations kick in, too.

In other words, if the technical guru is truly heading to Ferrari to build up a ‘dream team’, he can get a head start. Considering that the Italian giants boast of a driver of Hamilton’s calibre, and a star in the making in Charles Leclerc, the stars could align. The organisation has not tasted world championship success since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007. So with Hamilton and Leclerc locked in, and Newey possibly on the way, can they break their 19-year drought?

Where does this leave Red Bull and will Ferrari find instant success?

Amid all this talk of Ferrari possibly going from strength to strength, what about Red Bull? So many fans are hyping Newey to the point that he is the difference maker for any team. Sure, Red Bull would be slightly crippled with the loss of one of the greatest engineering masterminds. However, whether they will instantly hit rock bottom with his departure is yet to be seen.At least the Austrian outfit still have their young mega star, Max Verstappen, but for now much longer?

One factor that could have set the wheels in motion for Newey’s departure, was the controversy surrounding Christian Horner. Before the season began, Red Bull conducted an internal investigation against Horner for alleged behaviour against a fellow employee. Horner eventually was found innocent, but the internal power struggle within Red Bull may have taken a toll on Adrian Newey.

In the end, Red Bull would probably be fine without him, as Newey would have had a team of engineers with him. Who knows, maybe one of them can pick up the slack and steady the ship. As for Newey and Ferrari, if those rumours are true, it would be difficult to say whether the Italian giants would instantly find success. Everything hinges on the 2026 rule changes and which team interprets them the best.