Verstappen believes it would have been unfair to put Newey on extended F1 leave.

Race winner Max Verstappen has expressed his lack of surprise at Red Bull’s decision to release Formula 1 designer Adrian Newey from his contract earlier than expected. Verstappen believed it would be unfair to keep Newey in the team when he had already contributed so much to their success. He acknowledged the mutual respect between Newey and Red Bull and expressed gratitude for Newey’s contributions over the years.

Newey, despite being under contract until 2025, will be allowed to join a rival team in the first quarter of next season. This will give him the opportunity to work on the next generation of F1, scheduled to debut in 2026. Although Verstappen was not directly involved in the decision-making process, he understood the logic and respected the decision to the team.

There are rumors about Newey’s possible destinations, including Aston Martin and Ferrari. Aston Martin’s proposal was reportedly turned down and Williams team principal James Vowles held preliminary discussions with Newey. However, Ferrari appears to be the most likely option for Newey, given their previous attempts to sign him. Verstappen acknowledged that Ferrari could benefit greatly from Newey’s expertise, particularly with upcoming technical rule changes.

Asked if Newey’s possible move to a competitor would cause problems for Red Bull, Verstappen admitted his uncertainty. He believed Newey’s experience and knowledge could be advantageous to any team he joined. However, the impact of its influence will depend on the timing of its move and the extent to which next year’s cars have already been designed. Regardless, Verstappen acknowledged that Newey’s knowledge and expertise would be valuable to any team, especially with the introduction of new regulations.