Newey on departure: I want to take a break

Adrian Newey said he is in no rush to make a decision on his next Formula One move after Red Bull, and he wants to take a break from the sport.

The legendary F1 designer has been linked with a sensational move to Ferrari after it was confirmed he will leave the world champions in early 2025.

Aston Martin and Williams are also known to be interested in a deal for Newey.

Newey, 65, said the decision to leave Red Bull was because of the gruelling nature of recent seasons.

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“F1 is all consuming, I’ve been at it for a long time now,” he told Sky Sports. “2021 was a really busy year with all the title battle with Mercedes through the championship and at the same time, putting all the research and development into the RB18, which is the father of this generation of cars … and then there comes a point where, as Forest Gump said, ‘I’m feeling a little bit tired’.

“[I’ve been thinking about it] a little while now, and then as events have unfolded this year, I’m in the very lucky position where I don’t need to work to live, I work because I enjoy it and I just felt that now was a good time to take step back, take a bit of a break, take stock of life, go travelling a bit.”

Newey said he will take some time before making the next move.

“With Mandy, my wife and the dogs, probably go travelling, get a motorhome or something and travel down through France and just enjoy life. And maybe at some point, I’ll be standing in this air saying this is going to be the next adventure but right now there is no plan.”

A move to Ferrari would link Newey up with Lewis Hamilton, a driver he has previously said he regrets never working with.

Hamilton said on Thursday it would be a privilege to work with Newey at Ferrari, where he is going into 2025.

“It’s very kind of Lewis to say that, I’m very flattered. But at the moment it’s just take a bit of a break and see what happens next.”