Dr. Helmut Marko now believes that Adrian Newey will eventually make his comeback in Formula 1 with Ferrari.
Marko, Red Bull's senior Austrian F1 consultant, has acknowledged that internal disturbances within the team this year, including the Christian Horner scandal, played a role in the celebrated designer's decision to leave.
"It had been looming for some time," Marko disclosed to the Osterreich newspaper.
Months earlier, Newey's spouse Amanda had dismissed claims by team boss Horner that other key technical team members, like Pierre Wache, were now more integral to Red Bull's success.
"There have been several occasions. That was one," Marko conceded.
Contrary to Horner's perspective, Marko admits Red Bull will deeply feel Newey's absence.
"With Newey, you have a figurehead," he stated. "With him on board, it was much easier to attract young engineers because it was an honor for them to work with him."
"When there were problems, Newey was often the first to devise a solution," Marko continued, acknowledging that without Newey, finding optimal technical solutions, especially for the upcoming 2026 rules change, may prove difficult.
"Not difficult," clarified Marko, "but the most experienced man will no longer be with us. And I fear he will be with a rival team."
Dismissing suggestions that Newey might simply retire, Marko recently hinted that the 65-year-old is likely to eventually re-emerge in the F1 paddock in Aston Martin green.
"I was obviously misunderstood," Marko clarified. "I would rather bet on red."
"But that doesn't mean we will face a technical breakdown because of it. Now we need to focus on the World Championship and stabilize the team."
Amidst the turmoil surrounding Newey, McLaren's Lando Norris emerged as the surprise winner of the Miami GP, consistently outpacing Max Verstappen with a heavily updated car.
"I'm not worried about the championship," Marko affirmed, "as Norris is still more than 50 points behind. We're also introducing an upgrade in Imola, and I have high expectations for it."
"But Miami shows that we need to focus on the sporting side of things."
With Verstappen contracted through 2028, there's speculation about his future if Marko departs due to the Horner controversy, with hints of a possible move to Mercedes - maybe even with Newey as well.
"That is not the case at all at the moment," Marko reassured.
"As long as they (Red Bull) provide him a car capable of winning, you can assume that Max is staying," Marko added.
"But 2026 is certainly a pivotal year. Once again I say: Max wants to drive where he has the best chance of winning, and that is currently with Red Bull."
