F1 Design Legend Adrian Newey Leaves Red Bull Racing, But Not Before He Finishes RB17 Hypercar

After weeks of rumors and reports, it’s finally official. Formula 1 design legend Adrian Newey has announced that he will leave his position as Red Bull Racing’s chief technical officer in the first quarter of 2025. Until then, the engineer will shift his focus exclusively on the development of the RB17, a highly anticipated limited-run hypercar.

“For almost two decades it has been my great honor to have played a key role in Red Bull Racing’s progress from upstart newcomer to multiple title-winning Team. I feel now is an opportune moment to hand that baton over to others and to seek new challenges for myself,” said Newey in a statement. “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.”

More: $6.4M Red Bull Hypercar’s Naturally-Aspirated V10 Will Scream To 15,000 RPM

Red Bull plans to reveal the hypercar later this year, and it should be quite impressive. Power will come from a hybrid powertrain based around an air-spring valve V10 that can rev up to an ear-splitting 15,000 RPM.

Newey previously indicated that the engine will make around 1,000 hp (746 kW/1,014 PS) combined with a 200 hp (149 kW/203 PS) electric motor providing torque fill during gear changes and acting as the car’s reverse gear.

With a curb weight of less than 1,984 lbs (900 kg) and aero elements capable of putting 1.7 tons of pressure on the car, Newey claims that the hypercar will be capable of matching lap times set by Formula 1 cars.

Red Bull plans to build just 50 RB17s, each with an expected price of £5 million (US$6.24 million at current exchange rates). The hypercar will be shown to the world for the first time this summer, and track testing is planned for the start of 2025, just before Newey leaves the team. Production is set to begin in 2026.

The designer leaves Red Bull Racing after 19 successful years. During his time, Newey helped the team win 7 F1 drivers’ titles, 6 constructors’ titles, and 118 races.