Newey shares point he first decided to leave Red Bull

Adrian Newey has revealed he first decided to leave Red Bull during the Japanese Grand Prix in April.

The 65-year-old will leave the Milton Keynes-based team in early 2025, joining Aston Martin, with this highly-anticipated news announced earlier today.

Newey, who has been hugely impressed by Aston Martin and owner Lawrence Stroll's ambitions for the team, explained that he knew he wanted to continue in F1 during the summer, at which point he was already being linked to the Silverstone squad - and Ferrari.

"When I decided to stop it at Red Bull, which was really over the Suzuka weekend back in April, [I] genuinely had no idea what would be next," Newey stated.

"[I] just wanted to have a blank mind, take stock, enjoy a bit of a break and and was hoping that standing in the shower somewhere, the spark would come of: 'Yep, this should be the direction.' 

"And Amanda [Newey's wife] was a big part of that, as well, of our discussions and what we should do.

"I think she was worried that I would probably drive her a bit mad if I was at home too much!

"Come late June, certainly then I felt: actually, you know what, to be involved as a designer in motor racing has bit my ambition since the age of 10 or so. I've been lucky enough to achieve that."

'What's the pinnacle of man and machine?'

Newey has enjoyed unprecedented levels of success during his career in F1. The Briton has won a combined 25 championship titles across stints at Williams, McLaren and Red Bull.

However, that has not yet dulled his motivation of his love of "the challenge" that comes with improving the performance of an F1 car - his primary factor in wanting to stay within the "pinnacle of man and machine."

"I think it'd be an exaggeration to say I've enjoyed every single day of my career, but well over 90% has been hugely enjoyable," Newey added.

"I still love the challenge of trying to add performance to the car - that's my prime motivation. That's what gets me up in the morning...

"So I think I chose well in my aspirations... to work in this man and machine sport. And then if you say: 'Okay, well, what's the pinnacle of man and machine?' Clearly, it's Formula 1.

"So yes, I remain interested in the America's Cup. I remain interested in many other things, but if I'm going to do man and machine, I might as well keep going at the pinnacle as long as people want me."

Do you think Adrian Newey will be able to turn Aston Martin into F1 champions? Let us know by voting below in the latest poll by RacingNews365.