Formula 1: Adrian Newey – the best F1 designer of his time?

Adrian Newey is quickly becoming a legend. His impressive track record became even more incredible over the weekend. While he was at Williams (1990-1997) and McLaren (1997-2005) he welcomed the challenge competition brought and in utilizing his unique talents, he facilitated an improvement in the stock of wins and championships held by both teams.

Winning for some is addictive and one would think that you would want to stick with a winning combination, but Adrian Newey is no ordinary man. I guess winning at McLaren got boring after a time and other issues aside, the gentleman needed a new challenge.

Adrian Newey left the F1 world in turmoil, brows knitted, mouths went agape and questions floated in abundance when he indicated that he was leaving McLaren for a virtual unknown, Red Bull Racing in 2006. The magnitude of the challenge facing new/ young teams in F1 is always spoken about, but that did not deter Adrian Newey from his new F1 project.

Red Bull Racing

Red Bull Racing won their first GP in 2009 at the Chinese GP and even before the 2010 season began, it was being reported that Adrain Newey had penciled another remarkable machine, one which had the potential to become an indomitable missile.

Mistakes aside, Red Bull Racing has accomplished an incomprehensible feat in a short time frame in their F1 history. At the penultimate round of the 2010 season, on Sunday, in Brazil, Vettel and Webber crossed the finish line 1st and 2nd respectively, completing another Red Bull 1-2. With the sweep, Red Bull Racing amassed the points needed to clinch the constructors’ championship.

Christian Horner was not sick on Sunday. On the contrary, he was in very high spirits, intoxicated even. As he raised the trophy celebrating the team’s proud moment, I could not help but think that Adrian Newey may be the best F1 designer of his time.

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer