Adrian Newey Admits Lack Of Experience Contributed To Red Bull's Performance Struggles In 2024

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Adrian Newey acknowledged that Red Bull's lack of experience might have contributed to their struggles at the end of the 2024 season. This came after he raised concerns about the car's drivability. Despite a record-breaking 2023, where Max Verstappen secured his third world title and helped Red Bull win the constructors' championship, the team faced challenges in maintaining their dominance.

Red Bull started strong in 2024, with Verstappen winning seven out of the first ten races. However, they experienced a significant decline in performance later in the season. Verstappen managed only two victories in the last 14 races, while Sergio Perez scored just nine points over the final eight grand prix weekends before leaving Red Bull.

McLaren and Ferrari capitalised on Red Bull's downturn, rapidly improving their cars and surpassing Red Bull in the standings. McLaren eventually clinched the constructors' title, although Verstappen narrowly retained his world championship by holding off Lando Norris.

Newey, who will join Aston Martin on March 1, discussed why Red Bull couldn't maintain their early-season form. "Obviously part of that was McLaren, in particular, and Ferrari, as well developing their cars and doing a very good job of developing their cars," Newey told Auto Motor und Sport.

Newey observed that Red Bull's car had become increasingly difficult to drive during late 2023 and into 2024. While Verstappen could manage despite not being entirely comfortable, Perez struggled significantly more. This disparity between teammates became evident as early as 2023 and persisted into 2024.

The car remained fast enough initially to cope with these issues. However, Newey noted growing concerns about its drivability. "It's something I was starting to become concerned about," he said. Yet many within Red Bull did not share this concern at that time.

Lack of Experience Acknowledged

From an external perspective, Newey suggested that Red Bull might have continued down a problematic path due to inexperience. He clarified this wasn't a criticism but an observation that even Verstappen found it challenging to handle eventually.

The team's decision-making process may have lacked insight into addressing these growing issues effectively. As a result, what began as manageable difficulties evolved into significant challenges for both drivers by season's end.

Despite these setbacks, Verstappen's skill allowed him to retain his world title amidst fierce competition from rivals like Norris. The experience highlighted areas for improvement within Red Bull as they prepare for future seasons.