Adrian Newey, a British Formula One engineer, is renowned for his exceptional designs that have won numerous titles and over 200 Grands Prix.
He has achieved remarkable success in Formula One, winning multiple Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships with different teams.
Newey’s departure from Red Bull Racing in 2025 marks the end of a nearly 20-year partnership, with his focus shifting to the RB17 hypercar.
Despite rumors linking him to Ferrari, Newey has expressed no inclination towards any specific direction, emphasizing a period of reflection and potential retirement.
Net worth
Newey’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $50 million.
This substantial wealth is a testament to his immense success and influence in Formula 1 as one of the most brilliant minds in the sport.
Newey’s net worth has grown significantly through his salary, bonuses linked to team success, and possibly other private investments.
When he joined Red Bull Racing in 2006, he reportedly had a salary offer of $10 million per year. His current annual income is estimated to be $10.2 million.
Throughout his illustrious career spanning over four decades, Newey has designed championship-winning cars for various teams, including Williams, McLaren and Red Bull.
His innovative approach to aerodynamics and chassis design has set new standards in Formula 1, often leaving competitors in awe of his brilliance.
Salary
Newey’s salary at Red Bull Racing has been substantial.
When he first joined Red Bull in 2006, his annual salary was reportedly between $7 million and $10 million.
In 2015, Newey reportedly turned down an offer from Ferrari of $28 million per year.
Currently, his salary with Red Bull is estimated to be around £10 million ($12.5 million) per year, though it is believed his actual earnings may exceed this figure.
The Daily Mail estimates Newey’s annual salary to be “conservatively” around £10 million, but suggests his earnings could be even higher.
Newey’s lucrative contract with Red Bull, which he signed prior to the 2020 season, has helped keep him at the team despite interest from other top teams like Ferrari.
CART career
In 1984, Newey joined the March Indy car project, working as a designer and race engineer for Bobby Rahal at Truesports.
His first design, the March 85C, proved to be a game-changer in the 1985 CART season.
The March 85C secured the 1985 CART championship with Al Unser as the driver. It also won the prestigious Indianapolis 500 with Danny Sullivan behind the wheel.
Newey’s subsequent March 86C design continued the success in 1986. Bobby Rahal piloted the March 86C to the CART championship title and the Indianapolis 500 victory.
Newey’s innovative designs and engineering prowess made a significant impact on the CART series in the mid-1980s.
His success in the CART championship and the Indianapolis 500 established him as a rising star in the world of motorsports engineering.
This early success in CART laid the foundation for Newey’s future achievements in Formula 1, where he would go on to become one of the most successful designers in the sport’s history.
Formula One career
Newey’s Formula One career has been nothing short of remarkable.
He is widely regarded as one of the greatest engineers in the sport’s history, with his designs winning numerous titles and over 200 Grands Prix.
Newey began his F1 career in 1986 with the Fittipaldi and March teams.
Despite the team’s struggles, Newey’s innovative approach to aerodynamics and chassis design began to make an impact.
His breakthrough came when he joined Williams in 1990, where his designs won multiple Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships.
He later moved to McLaren in 1997, where his cars won the 1998 and 1999 titles.
In 2006, Newey joined Red Bull Racing, where he has enjoyed tremendous success.
His cars won the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships consecutively from 2010 to 2013, and again in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
The Newey-designed RB19 is the most successful F1 car in history, winning 21 out of 22 races (95.45%) it competed in.
On May 1, 2024, Red Bull Racing announced that Newey would leave his day-to-day F1 design duties immediately to focus on the RB17 hypercar project.
He is set to fully leave the company in the first quarter of 2025.
Newey’s exit comes amidst internal discord at the Milton Keynes outfit and controversies surrounding team boss Christian Horner, which some reports suggest may have played a role in Newey’s decision to move on.
He has also disclosed the pivotal moment that sparked his contemplation of departing Red Bull, attributing his choice to the challenges faced during the 2021 season, a year marked by a fierce title battle with Mercedes and the preparation for the introduction of new technical regulations in 2022.
Formula One championships
Newey’s has been instrumental in securing 13 drivers’ titles and 12 constructors’ crowns in Formula 1, spanning an impressive 38-year tenure in the championship.
His success began with Williams, where he played a key role in four constructors’ championships and three drivers’ titles before moving to McLaren, where his designs won both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships in 1998.
Upon joining Red Bull Racing in 2006, Newey’s cars secured multiple championships, including four consecutive titles from 2010 to 2013 and recent successes in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
His innovative designs have left a lasting impact on the sport, with the RB19 being hailed as one of the best F1 cars in history, winning 21 out of 22 races in 2023.
Memoir
Newey’s memoir, How to Build a Car, provides a fascinating and revealing look into his illustrious career in Formula 1.
Published in 2017, the book shares Newey’s journey from designing cars in his youth to becoming one of the most successful engineers in F1 history.
The memoir delves into the story behind the cars he designed, the drivers he worked with and the races he participated in.
Newey pulls back the curtain on his creative process, offering never-before-seen drawings that showcase his exceptional talent.
The book also explores the personal side of Newey’s life, sharing the stories and experiences that shaped him into the mastermind he is today.
Readers gain insight into his early life, education, and the challenges he faced throughout his career.
How to Build a Car has been well-received by fans and critics alike, with many praising Newey’s engaging and entertaining writing style.
The memoir offers a unique perspective on the world of Formula 1, making it a must-read for any motorsports enthusiast
Personal life
Newey has been married multiple times.
In 1983, he married his first wife, Amanda, with whom he had two daughters, Charlotte and Hannah.
After their separation in 1989, Newey remarried Marigold in 1992, and they had a son named Harrison and a daughter named Imogen before their marriage ended in 2010.
In 2017, Newey married Amanda Smerczak, his current wife.
