Adrian Newey's role in Red Bull's Formula 1 efforts appears to be coming to a definitive end.
Although the 65-year-old British engineer won't officially begin working at Aston Martin until March 1 of next year, his involvement with Red Bull's F1 operations has already effectively wrapped up.
Despite the possibility of enforcing a long 'gardening leave' period, Red Bull has allowed Newey an early departure, reflecting the strength of their long-standing partnership.
"Maybe that will turn out to be a mistake if they build a rocket and Lance Stroll wins the world championship in 2026," team principal Christian Horner joked.
"We'll be sad to see it when he leaves next year," Horner added during Friday's Baku practice sessions.
Newey remains connected to Red Bull's RB17 hypercar project. However, since deciding to eventually depart from the team a few months ago, his presence at races has diminished, with his contributions to car development being gradually phased out.
The recent announcement by Aston Martin may have definitively ended any chances of seeing Newey in Red Bull colours at a grand prix in the future.
Unlike Lewis Hamilton, who did not attend Maranello earlier this year for the announcement of his own 2025 team move to Ferrari, Newey was at the centre of a high-profile global announcement at Aston Martin's Silverstone headquarters on Tuesday.
"It was obviously a large announcement by Aston," Horner commented. "Adrian has always tended to do his own thing."
"Obviously, it was a significant moment for that team. They decided to celebrate it, perhaps slightly prematurely, before he's officially finished his contract with Red Bull Racing," he added.
Former Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos speculated that Horner may not have fully expressed his feelings on the situation.
"Newey tells all those stories in front of an Aston Martin logo, and then gets in his car, drives to Milton Keynes, walks into Red Bull, and works on the RB17 some more?" Doornbos exclaimed to Ziggo Sport.
"How is that possible? That he thinks he can get away with that. I understand that the team (Red Bull) is taking him off the racing team now. He won't be sent to any more races. He will now finish the RB17 from a distance. Not such a nice way to end after so much success," Doornbos concluded.
