Max Verstappen has been in fine form this season continuing his streak of wins as he recently added the Chinese GP victory to his cap making it four wins out of five races so far this season. He converted pole position into victory in a Chinese Grand Prix full of incidents and overtakes, leading home McLaren’s Lando Norris and Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez. Verstappen led the vast majority of a strategic encounter at the Shanghai International Circuit. Despite the success, Red Bull is at the brink of suffering a major blow as there has been reports that that Adrian Newey wants to leave Red Bull, potentially igniting a fresh crisis within the currently dominant Formula 1 team that could also put the future of Verstappen at Red Bull in uncertainty.  F1 2024: Max Verstappen Takes Pole for Chinese Grand Prix To Extend Formula One Dominance.

According to reports from several outlets including the guardian, Adrian Newey, who is the most successful designer of the modern Formula One era and has been an instrumental part of Red Bull’s success, is said to have become uncomfortable with his ­position at the team since the team principal, Christian Horner, was cleared after an investigation into accusations of inappropriate behaviour by a female employee. After the reports, Red Bull have insisted Newey is contracted until at least the end of 2025 and the team are “not aware of him joining any other team”.

The 65-year-old Newey has been with Red Bull since 2006, only one year after the team was formed. He has since designed cars that have won seven drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships for Red Bull and his talents have long been sought after by rivals across the paddock. Losing him would be an enormous blow to the team. If he departs, though, it would represent a serious threat to the team keeping the world champion, Max Verstappen. The Dutchman’s future with Red Bull is already under question although he is contracted until 2028 but the loss of Newey would represent serious cause for him to consider a new course.  F1 2024: Max Verstappen Wins Enthralling Shanghai Formula One Sprint Ahead of Chinese Grand Prix.

The shock development has inevitably fuelled talk that Newey’s departure could open the door for a move to a big-money rival, with it known that both Ferrari and Aston Martin have been trying to lure him on board. Ferrari will be bolstered by the arrival of Lewis Hamilton next year, and a Newey switch there would see him work with both the Italian squad and the seven-time world champion for the first time.

 

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 26, 2024 01:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).