'Verstappen would not be a bigger loss to Red Bull than Newey'

Adrian Newey is leaving Red Bull in early 2025, but Max Verstappen's future with the team has yet to be settled for certain, despite being contracted until the end of 2028.

The 65-year-old engineer has helped shape the team into the dominant force it is today. After four successive drivers' and constructors' titles with Red Bull from 2010 to 2013, he has taken the Milton Keynes squad to back-to-back crowns in the past two season, whilst Verstappen himself has become a triple-world champion.

Verstappen's future with the team looks shaky, so there remains the chance Red Bull could lose both Newey and the Dutchman in a short period of time - however slim that might be. If it came to pass, it would likely change the trajectory of the team and its future chances in F1, as the series welcomes all-new regulations, for both chassis and power units, in 2026.

It is not believed Verstappen will seek a move away before the start of the rules change, as he would be leaving next season's title favourites to do so, but there remains the possibility he will confirm his departure for the year after - with Mercedes mooted as the likely destination in that eventuality.

However, despite that uncertainty, a plurality of F1 fans feel Newey to be the more consequential departure. Further still, when asked who would be the bigger loss, just over 27 percent said Verstappen would have a more hard-hitting exit for Red Bull.

Whilst the team has won without the Dutchman, it has never won without Newey. If Verstappen does opt to stay, we will find out if it can come 2026.

Take a look at the full results of the latest RacingNews365 poll below and let us know what you think in the comments.