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HomeCarsThe 7 Most Iconic Racing Cars Designed by the Legendary Adrian Newey

The 7 Most Iconic Racing Cars Designed by the Legendary Adrian Newey

As the Formula 1 automotive genius prepares to leave the Red Bull team, we take a look back at the highlights of his legacy to date.

Adrian Newey, the architect of Red Bull's success

After almost two decades with the Red Bull Formula 1 team, renowned race car designer Adrian Newey will step down as technical director in the first quarter of next year. At 65, Newey is a true legend in the world of motorsport, having designed victorious single-seaters in championships as prestigious as IndyCar, IMSA and Formula 1. During his 40-year career, the creations of Newey have won more than 150 Grand Prix, 13 World Drivers' Championship titles and 12 World Constructors' Championship titles with three different teams.

Exceptional performance with the RB18 and RB19

It was Newey who designed the Red Bull RB18 for the 2022 season, a single-seater with a win rate of 77.3% with Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, allowing Red Bull to clinch the drivers' and world championship titles. builders. In 2023, Newey's RB19 did even better, with a success rate of 95%, repeating the feat of the previous year.

Departure rumors and speculation about the future

Why leave a team at the top of its form? Rumors have emerged of tensions between Newey and Red Bull, linked to the alleged sexual harassment scandal involving team principal Christian Horner. However, ESPN sources say Newey's departure was already in place and unrelated to this matter. For his part, Horner had nothing but praise for Newey's work, saying: “All of our greatest moments over the last 20 years have come from Adrian's technical talent.”

As for the future, BusinessF1 magazine claims that Newey would have signed a $105 million contract with Scuderia Ferrari in April 2024 for the 2025 to 2027 seasons. While waiting to learn more, here is an overview of the 7 best creations of Adrian Newey, those that made him a Formula 1 icon.

1985: March 85C, the smashing debut in IndyCar

For his first steps in IndyCar, Newey hits hard with the March 85C. Equipped with a Buick Indy turbo V6 engine or a Ford-Cosworth DFX turbo V8, this car allowed Al Unser to win the 1985 IndyCar championship. Danny Sullivan, another March driver, distinguished himself during the Indianapolis 500 with its famous โ€œspin and winโ€. In total, the 85C won in 10 of the 15 races of the season.

1992: Williams FW14B, the active suspension revolution

After a mixed start in Formula 1, Newey joined the Williams team and revolutionized the discipline with the FW14B. Thanks to its active suspension, which improves cornering stability and reduces drag in a straight line, Nigel Mansell wins the world championship title, while Williams wins the constructors' championship.

1996: Williams FW18, aerodynamics pushed to its peak

With a victory rate of 75% (12 successes in 16 races), the V10-powered FW18 allowed Damon Hill to become world champion, ahead of his teammate Jacques Villeneuve. Williams retains its constructors' title. Newey's secret? An inclined cockpit that lowers the center of gravity and optimizes aerodynamics.

1998: McLaren MP4/13, the revival of the British team

After leaving Williams, Newey signed with McLaren and designed the MP4/13. With 56% victories, she offered the title to Mika Hรคkkinen, while David Coulthard finished 3rd in the championship.

2010: Red Bull RB6, the start of domination

Arriving at Red Bull in 2006, Newey struggled to establish himself until the RB6. Thanks to a double diffuser (which increases downforce) and a controversial but legal front wing, it won 9 of the 18 races of the season. Sebastian Vettel is crowned world champion and Red Bull wins its first constructors' title, ending an 11-year drought for Newey.

2023: Red Bull RB19, the most dominant single-seater in history

After the success of the RB18 in 2022 (77.3% victories), Newey pushes the limits with the RB19. Its innovation? Two tunnels under the floor to channel the air towards the diffuser, generating monstrous support. Result: 21 victories in 22 races (95.45% success), erasing the record of the McLaren MP4/4 from 1988 (93.8%).

Aston Martin Valkyrie (AM-RB 001), Newey's ultimate dream

Although not strictly speaking a racing car, the Valkyrie (which will have its track version at the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans) deserves its place in this ranking. The result of a collaboration between Newey, Christian Horner and Andy Palmer (former CEO of Aston Martin), this $3 million car develops 1,139 hp thanks to its 6.5 Cosworth V12, with a maximum speed of 11,100 rpm. It also generates 1100 kg of downforce from 220 km/h, much more than a modern F1 (750 kg). Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin F1 driver and double world champion, treated himself to a Valkyrie, not without humor: โ€œI was hoping for an employee discount. There was no discount! ยป

Adrian Newey's departure from Red Bull certainly marks the end of an era. But there is no doubt that his creative genius will continue to be expressed, whether at Ferrari or elsewhere, to the delight of motorsport enthusiasts. One thing is certain: the single-seaters born from his mind will forever be engraved in the history of Formula 1.

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