Max Verstappen believes it is difficult to predict the amount of 'impact' Adrian Newey will have on his next employer, as it largely depends on when he arrives.
It has been widely reported that Newey could potentially move to Ferrari next season ahead of the 2026 power unit regulations, while he will also take with him 19 years of Red Bull knowledge.
The team's former technical director has designed all of Red Bull's winning cars, highlighting his important role in the success of the Milton Keynes-based team.
Verstappen has no doubt that the 65-year-old will have an impact wherever he goes next and will be an asset to them, although he is considering whether the extent of his influence will be determined when he joins.
“I always think that someone like Adrian with his experience, and of course the knowledge that he has from our team, should be an asset,” Verstappen told selected media outlets including: Racing News 365.
“But on the other hand, in '26, again, everything is very, very new and very different from how the cars are now. Before he joins another team in '25, the cars are usually already designed that year.
“So again, that's something you don't know how much impact he'll have. But certainly with the new regulations, if you're going to go somewhere else, with his knowledge he can bring a lot to the team.”
Niue is part of the “second family”
Not only is Verstappen losing one of the greatest Formula 1 designers of all time, he is also losing someone close to him.
Verstappen described Newey as part of his “second family” and someone you want to stay around but realize that changes always happen in life.
“Well, that's also what I said before, before he joins another team, you are already committed to the new regulations,” Verstappen explained.
“So it's always difficult to know how much impact it will have. But as I said, also as a person and as a friend, he was basically part of the second family that I had within the team, and that's also where Adrian was a part of it.
“You always wanted him to stay. At the end of the day, that's life.”
