Adrian Newey’s $5 Million Worth Project Casts Shadow of Doubt Over Future in F1

Remember the 2006 Monaco GP where Kimi Raikkonen retired from the race with 27 laps to go? The Finnish driver decided against going back to his garage and made it to his yacht named “one more time” to enjoy a cold one and the view of the track. And now, Adrian Newey’s F1 future has dark clouds over it because of his yacht, which is due to be delivered this year. 

The world of F1 is often related to danger, however, luxury is something that is considered a part of it as well. Red Bull, along with most of the other teams, hosts a party that goes all weekend long during the Monaco GP in the yachts in the bay. And now, Adrian Newey will get his own yacht delivered this year and probably sail to the upcoming Monaco GP. But how does it cast a shadow over his F1 future?

Adrian Newey has been reported to have informed the senior people at Red Bull about his wish to leave the team. This came as a result of the investigation against Christian Horner and is believed to be a personal issue as the PA that was suspended served both Horner and Newey. Reports have been circulating that Adrian Newey will join Ferrari or Aston Martin, but a possible retirement is also in question. 

Amid all this, Adrian Newey is set to take delivery of his Oyster 885 boat that he’s personally been involved in designing and customizing. Describing his experience on Oyster Yachts YouTube channel, Newey explained how he likes the idea of sailing and how it takes him away from the hectic world of Formula 1. Newey even talked about having his first trip planned after the $5 million yacht gets delivered. It was the purity of sailing and its connection with nature that pushed Newey into buying the Yacht.

Adrian Newey is already 65 and just 1 year away from the retirement age in the UK. Also, Adrian Newey has often teased working on other projects away from F1, and retirement from F1 might just be the perfect opportunity to do that. Even if he decided to leave the team now, other factors will stop him from joining the likes of Ferrari soon. 

Adrian Newey’s contractual situation to stop him from joining Ferrari or Ason Martin before 2027

Ferrari started approaching Adrian Newey last year before he extended with Red Bull and they are once again in the hunt for the mastermind. Aston Martin, on the other hand, has offered him a lucrative $100 million contract with possible options to design road cars for them. However, his current contract runs until the end of 2025, and taking the gardening leave into consideration, he won’t be able to join another F1 team until the 2027 season. 

Craig Slater, after talking to people at Red Bull confirmed Adrian Newey’s contractual situation and said, “His contractual situation is that he has contracted at Red Bull Racing until the end of 2025 and as I understand it would have to serve another year of gardening leave where Red Bull to holds him to the full extent of his contract which would mean he would not be able to work for another Formula 1 team until 2027.”

What do you think? Will Adrian Newey continue in F1, or will he retire and follow his other passion?