F1 News: Red Bull Nail Down Key Designer After Adrian Newey Exit

Pierre Wache secures his position at Red Bull Racing till 2028, promising stability and continuity in their technical leadership post Adrian Newey's upcoming exit.

Oct 23, 2022; Austin, Texas, USA; (from left) Red Bull team advisor Helmut Marko and Red Bull Racing / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

In the wake of Adrian Newey's announced departure from Red Bull Racing scheduled for early 2025, the team has secured the commitment of their prominent technical figure, Pierre Wache. This strategic move aims to stabilize the team's technical direction post-Newey era.

Red Bull Racing faces a pivotal transition as the renowned F1 engineer Adrian Newey prepares to step back from his Formula 1 commitments. Newey, pivotal in shaping the team's golden era, has announced he will leave his full-time role at Red Bull in early 2025 to explore different opportunities and enjoy personal time. His departure ends nearly two decades of significant influence that saw the team clinch six World Championships and numerous victories.

As Newey plans to scale down his involvement in the fast-paced world of F1, focusing more on the RB17 hypercar and other projects, Red Bull has acted swiftly to secure the stability and continuity of their technical team. Pierre Wache, who has increasingly become a key figure in Red Bull’s recent successes, has reportedly inked a long-term agreement extending his stay at the team until the end of 2028.

The importance of Wache’s role cannot be overstated. With Newey stepping away, Wache is set to assume greater responsibilities, particularly in leading the development of the 2026 car under the new regulations. His proven technical expertise and deep understanding of Red Bull's design philosophy make him an invaluable asset as the team looks to maintain its competitive edge in the F1 paddock.

Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner praised Newey, stating: “All of our greatest moments from the past 20 years have come with Adrian’s hand on the technical tiller. He is also my friend and someone I will be eternally grateful to for everything he brought to our partnership.”

Despite rumors linking Wache with moves to rival teams such as Ferrari, his renewed commitment to Red Bull has quashed such speculations, ensuring that the team’s technical leadership remains solid. Industry watchers had speculated tectonic shifts within Red Bull’s technical ranks, but Wache’s extension has provided much-needed reassurance about the future continuity of the team's design and development.

In his departure remarks, Newey reflected on his career and future plans: “Ever since I was a young boy, I wanted to be a designer of fast cars. However, I feel now is an opportune moment to hand that baton over to others. I would like to thank the many amazing people I have worked with.”

At the other end of the garage, however, it sounds as though Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley is contemplating opportunities beyond the Milton Keynes outfit. More information coming soon on this.