Adrian Newey: Designing the RB19

Our host Nicola Hume speaks to Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey on The Official Oracle Red Bull Racing Podcast, brought to you by HP Poly – delivering exclusive and unrivalled access to the team. In this month's episode, we’re discussing the RB19. Adrian reveals how the car's performance has exceeded his expectations and why the design for it started years ago. Adrian also talks about his journey into F1, and how Christian Horner persuaded him to join the team in 2006.
Adrian also chooses another item to go in our 'Oracle Red Bull Racing in 100 Objects' hall of fame, he answers a load of your fan questions, plus we quiz him on whether he can guess the RB car by just listening to the engine sound.

* The Talking Bull Podcast, brought to you by HP Poly, features discussions with various individuals associated with Oracle Red Bull Racing.
* This episode focuses on Adrian Newey, the Chief Technical Officer of the team, known for his instrumental role in Red Bull's success and speed over the past 18 years.

**Current Success and Expectations:**

* The RB19, designed by Newey, has been phenomenal, exceeding expectations and astounding experts and fans alike.
* Newey remains pragmatic and cautious, acknowledging that there are still 20 races to go and that other teams will push hard, leading to potential changes in the standings.
* He emphasizes the pressure associated with being the favorite, where problems can lead to criticism and victories are often met with the expectation that they should have happened.

**Challenges and Areas of Improvement:**

* Newey admits to facing reliability concerns and performance issues during the Bahrain test and early races.
* The team struggled to switch tires on quickly, particularly during the Melbourne qualifying session.
* Newey highlights the importance of addressing these issues and continuously pushing for improvement.

**Observations on Other Teams:**

* Newey acknowledges the significant regulation changes introduced in 2021, which resulted in a variety of car designs.
* He specifically mentions Ferrari and Mercedes as teams with different design concepts compared to Red Bull.
* Newey emphasizes the uncertainty surrounding which concept will ultimately have the most potential and the need to adapt and develop strategies accordingly.

**Evolution of the RB19:**

* Newey explains that the RB19 is a detailed evolution of the RB18, with improvements based on critiques and identified areas for development.
* The focus was on addressing issues such as weight, handling, and aerodynamic developments, while adhering to minor regulation changes.
* Newey compares the RB19 to cars driven by Sebastian Vettel, such as the RB7, acknowledging the significant differences due to technological advancements and the impact of computer simulations.

**Life at Milton Keynes (MK7):**

* Newey describes the vastness and university-like campus of MK7, which continues to expand.
* He emphasizes the importance of creating a positive work environment, with a focus on good catering and a flat organizational structure.
* Newey highlights the significance of open communication, minimizing meetings, and encouraging teamwork to generate ideas and drive progress.

**Planning for the 2026 Engine Regulations:**

* Newey confirms that the team is already planning for the 2026 engine regulations, with a focus on the integration of the new power unit.
* However, he notes that detailed aerodynamic regulations are yet to be defined, preventing the team from fully committing to the chassis design.
* Newey emphasizes the importance of the engine as a key factor in determining the basic architecture of the car.

**The Oracle Red Bull Racing 100 Objects:**

* A new segment is introduced, where guests bring in an object that holds significance to their experience within Red Bull.
* Newey chooses his faithful old sketchpad and pencil, which he has used for over 10 years.
* He explains his preference for pen and paper, allowing him to visualize and work quickly on design concepts.
* Newey highlights the importance of having a team to convert his sketches into digital 3D drawings.

**History at Red Bull and Decision to Join:**

* Newey joined Red Bull in 2006, leaving McLaren, an established and successful team.
* He felt the need for a new challenge and was intrigued by the opportunity to be involved in a team from the start.
* Newey mentions Christian Horner's persistence in trying to recruit him and David Coulthard's positive feedback about Red Bull.

**Christian Horner's Quote and Newey's Perception:**

* Newey addresses Christian Horner's famous quote, "He's the only bloke that can see air."
* Newey humbly denies being that good and suggests that Horner's statement may have been exaggerated.

**Inspiration and Development:**

* Newey attributes his ability to visualize and understand complex concepts to his early experiences building scale models and experimenting with different designs.
* He emphasizes the importance of single-mindedness and focus in pursuing a career in motor racing.
* Newey reveals that he was expelled from school at 16 and subsequently studied aeronautical engineering at university.

**Questions from Oracle Red Bull Racing Fans:**

* Anna from the Czech Republic asks which part of the car Newey enjoys designing or tweaking the most.
* Newey expresses his preference for laying out the car, particularly during new regulations, and enjoys the challenge of optimizing the car's architecture.
* He also mentions his tendency to float around and provide input on various aspects of the car's design, bringing in fresh perspectives.


Newey reflects on his journey in motor racing, emphasizing that his ambition was always to work in the field and that every day since has been a bonus. He recalls his early days as a junior aerodynamicist at Fittipaldi's, where he was the only aerodynamicist in the team. Newey acknowledges his self-critical nature, which he believes is essential for continuous improvement.

Regarding his future plans, Newey expresses that he enjoys working on various projects beyond Formula One, such as the Valkyrie project with Aston Martin. He contemplates the possibility of scaling back his involvement in Formula One while pursuing other interests.

When asked about the most common engineering degree in Red Bull Racing, Newey suggests aeronautical engineering as it provides a comprehensive understanding of aerodynamics, structures, and control theories. However, he emphasizes the importance of choosing a degree that aligns with one's interests, such as mathematics for simulation vehicle dynamics.

Newey acknowledges that Formula One cars could become significantly faster if not for regulations. He explains that safety and tire limitations would become major concerns if downforce development was unrestricted. He also mentions that the current generation of Formula One cars might be the fastest for some time due to proposed rule changes for 2026, which could result in slower cars.

In the HP Poly game segment, Newey attempts to identify three Formula One cars based on audio clips of their engines. Despite his expertise, he scores zero out of three, demonstrating the challenging nature of the game.

Overall, the podcast episode provides an engaging and informative discussion with Adrian Newey, covering his career, engineering insights, and thoughts on the future of Formula One.