In a season fraught with unexpected struggles, reigning Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen has dismissed the notion that Red Bull’s lackluster 2024 performance stems from the departure of their legendary design mastermind, Adrian Newey. Despite Newey’s shocking exit at the end of 2023, Verstappen insists the team’s woes this season are tied to deeper issues rather than the absence of their aerodynamic guru.
“The Car Was Already Designed”
Reflecting on the challenging season, Verstappen clarified that Newey’s influence extended well into 2024, with pre-planned updates ensuring continuity in car development.
“I would like to believe not, because the car was already designed and the updates already planned,” Verstappen explained, shrugging off the idea that Newey’s absence created an immediate void.
The 27-year-old acknowledged, however, that the car’s handling issues were apparent from the outset, requiring the team to push harder than usual. While certain upgrades improved raw speed, they compromised driveability—a flaw that became glaring as the season progressed.
“I already said from the beginning of the year that I was not entirely happy with how the car was handling. And then you have to try and risk more. You have to get more out of the car yourself, and then you feel it is quite limited. At one point in the season, we realized what we had been putting on the car—yes, it might make the car quicker—but it’s very difficult to drive.”
Ripple Effects of Newey’s Departure
Newey’s exit—announced ahead of the 2025 season—sent shockwaves through the F1 paddock, with many attributing Red Bull’s struggles to the absence of his visionary leadership. After delivering an unbeatable chassis in 2023, Newey’s departure marked the end of an era for Red Bull, and the team has yet to find a comparable replacement.
Still, Verstappen believes the team’s struggles this season stem more from technical missteps than the loss of Newey, reiterating that the groundwork for 2024 had been laid long before the Englishman’s departure.
Lessons from 2021’s Controversy
Verstappen also drew on lessons learned during the 2021 season, emphasizing the importance of consistency and minimizing mistakes in a championship battle. He noted how Red Bull’s missed opportunities in 2024 had cost them dearly in both the drivers’ and constructors’ standings.
“With my experience since ’21, you just can’t afford bad results or massively missed opportunities. At the end of the day, those really catch up with you in the championship.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the turbulent season, Verstappen remains focused on the final three races, including the much-anticipated Las Vegas Grand Prix. Holding a commanding 62-point lead in the drivers’ championship, the Dutchman is poised to claim his fourth title and shift his sights to 2025—a season likely to test Red Bull’s resilience and adaptability without Newey at the helm.
For Verstappen, this year has underscored the delicate balance of innovation and reliability in Formula 1—a lesson Red Bull will need to internalize as they navigate their post-Newey era.