Mercedes, arguably the most dominant Formula 1 team of the hybrid era, is still reeling from the loss of Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time world champion has stood tall as the Brackley outfit’s biggest treasure, and somehow, Ferrari managed to break the seemingly unbreakable bond with an enormous offer for 2025 and beyond. It has been almost three months since Hamilton announced his move to Maranello, and Mercedes is yet to make a concrete decision on the Briton’s successor.
Therefore, one might wonder what Toto Wolff is really waiting for. There are plenty of supremely talented drivers on the market right now featuring Carlos Sainz, Alexander Albon, Esteban Ocon, and Kimi Antonelli. And Mercedes hardly seems interested in any of them. Well, the truth is Wolff has etched his entire focus on the drama currently unfolding at Red Bull Racing. And interestingly enough, Adrian Newey could play a crucial role in solving Mercedes’s biggest problem.
🚨| Adrian Newey is reportedly set to leave Red Bull amid the ongoing power struggle between Christian Horner and Helmut Marko.
But where will he go after leaving Red Bull?
Read all about it here. ⬇️https://t.co/bCKEHpWgSd
— Motorsport Hour (@MotorsportHour) April 25, 2024
For a while now, the serial designer has reportedly been wanting out of Red Bull amidst a power struggle between Christian Horner and Helmut Marko. And this could drive Max Verstappen out of Red Bull as well. Verstappen has more often than not admitted that losing any of the prime employees of Red Bull could prompt his departure from the team.
Mercedes could trigger Red Bull’s fall from glory
Red Bull is currently flying high, thanks to the Super Squad feat. Verstappen, Newey, Horner, and Marko. The aforementioned names have driven Red Bull to the top of the standings, stamping the authority on the likes of Ferrari and Mercedes. However, Newey could end it all with a simple call. The Briton is clearly uncomfortable with the events that have unfolded over the past few months, and the Marko-Horner war isn’t helping either.
Three crucial factors that could push Max Verstappen out of Red Bull:
👉 Ford’s lack of experience in building modern Formula 1 engines
👉 Adrian Newey’s departure
👉 Horner & Marko in the midst of a power struggle at Red Bull#F1 #Formula1 https://t.co/2qkhPmw0Vk— Motorsport Hour (@MotorsportHour) April 27, 2024
Hence, if Newey leaves, Verstappen isn’t going to be happy. The Dutchman will most certainly consider moving to Mercedes. What’s interesting is that Wolff is happy to sign both Verstappen and Marko which would leave Horner all on his own at the Milton Keynes outfit.
With no lead driver, chief technical officer, and advisor, what future would Red Bull hold in Formula 1? Could this be the start of Red Bull’s dark phase in motorsport? It all lies in the hands of Newey.
Sara Chavan