Formula 1 legend Adrian Newey has confirmed he will leave his design chief role at Red Bull after almost two decades.

The 65-year-old joined the reigning champions ahead of their second F1 season in 2006 but will now depart in the first quarter of 2025.

Red Bull design chief Newey will leave the Formula 1 teamCredit: Getty

Newey, hailed as the greatest designer in the history of the sport, was instrumental in transforming the team midfield runners into Grand Prix winners.

His first Red Bull design, the RB3, achieved a podium finish at the 2007 European Grand Prix, and his cars have since gone from strength to strength.

His unique ability to capitalise on regulation changes sparked two separate eras of complete domination that have resulted in six constructors’ titles and seven drivers’ championships – between Sebastian Vettel from 2010-14 and Max Verstappen respectively.

In a statement, Newey said: “Ever since I was a young boy, I wanted to be a designer of fast cars. My dream was to be an engineer in Formula One, and I’ve been lucky enough to make that dream a reality.

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“For almost two decades it has been my great honour to have played a key role in Red Bull Racing’s progress from upstart newcomer to multiple title-winning Team.

“However, I feel now is an opportune moment to hand that baton over to others and to seek new challenges for myself. In the interim, the final stages of development of RB17 are upon us, so for the remainder of my time with the Team my focus will lie there.

“I would like to thank the many amazing people I have worked with at Red Bull in our journey over the last 18 years for their talent, dedication and hard work. It has been a real privilege, and I am confident that the engineering Team are well prepared for the work going into the final evolution of the car under the four-year period of this regulation set.

“On a personal note, I would also like to thank the shareholders, the late Dietrich Mateschitz, Mark Mateschitz and Chalerm Yoovidhya for their unwavering support during my time at Red Bull, and Christian, who has not only been my business partner but also a friend of our respective families. Also, thanks to Oliver Mintzlaff for his stewardship and Eddie Jordan, my close friend and manager."

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Red Bull under Adrian Newey

Seven Formula One Drivers’ Championship titles

Six Constructors’ Championship titles

118 race victories

101 pole positions

Horner said Newey leaves Red Bull a true legendCredit: Getty

Newey's next move is yet to be confirmed but he has been linked with a move to Ferrari to team up with Lewis Hamilton in 2025.

He has yet to work for an overseas F1 team having previously had multiple championship-winning successes at both Williams and McLaren.

Horner added: “All of our greatest moments from the past 20 years have come with Adrian’s hand on the technical tiller. His vision and brilliance have helped us to 13 titles in 20 seasons.

“His exceptional ability to conceptualise beyond F1 and bring wider inspiration to bear on the design of grand prix cars, his remarkable talent for embracing change and finding the most rewarding areas of the rules to focus on, and his relentless will to win have helped Red Bull Racing to become a greater force than I think even the late Dietrich Mateschitz might have imagined.

“More than that, the past 19 years with Adrian have been enormous fun. For me, when Adrian joined Red Bull, he was already a superstar designer.

“Two decades and 13 Championships later he leaves as a true legend. He is also my friend and someone I will be eternally grateful to for everything he brought to our partnership.

“The legacy he leaves behind will echo through the halls of Milton Keynes and RB17 Track Car will be a fitting testament and legacy to his time with us.”