Who do you think is the most formidable duo in Formula 1 at the moment? Does the Max Verstappen and Red Bull pairing come to mind? The 2023 season has had 20 races so far. Out of those 20, Red Bull has won 19, and out of those 19, Verstappen has won 17. Since joining Red Bull, the Dutchman has proved that, if he’s given a car to compete, there’s no way he’d strive for anything less than a win. The good thing about the ideology is that he isn’t the only one who believes in it. So although Verstappen and Red Bull may seem invincible, it’s really Verstappen and Adrian Newey who’re the most formidable duo.

Verstappen looks completely dialed in with his RB19, doesn’t he? The thing is, had it not been for Adrian Newey—Red Bull’s Chief Technical Officer—there wouldn’t have even been a car as dominant as the RB19 to begin with. Newey is the mastermind. Verstappen is just the one bringing it to life. And as if Newey wasn’t good enough on his own, it seems like he’s looking for people to follow in his footsteps.

Max Verstappen & Co. are striving to get bigger and better

F1 may look like an individual sport from the outside, but it’s anything but. Yes, it’s about 20 drivers competing against each other to emerge victorious. But behind them is an entire army, tirelessly working to give them the best possible machine to compete. Heading the car design operation at Red Bull is Newey. With 211 wins, 13 Drivers’ Championships, and 12 Constructors’ Championships under his belt, he’s the most successful person on the grid. And every team knows that if there’s anyone they’d want on their side, it’s Newey.

The Adrian Newey operation may sound like a one-man show but it isn’t. It’s far from it. In fact, the Milton-Keynes team has started a program to expand Newey’s engineering team, to allow young, like-minded people to follow in the mastermind’s footsteps. The Red Bull Engineering Academy is a two-year scheme for STEM graduate candidates to work closely with Red Bull on its F1 project as well as commercial ones. To help his team and partner in crime, Adrian Newey’s cause, Verstappen spread the work on Twitter (now X).

In a video posted on Red Bull’s official account, the Dutchman said, “Just graduated and fancy working on our Technology Campus? We’ve got just the thing.” His teammate Sergio Perez joined Verstappen, adding, “Our Red Bull Engineering Graduate Scheme applications are now open for 2024.” Verstappen concluded, “You can apply from anywhere across the globe to be part of the two-year scheme. Good luck, and hopefully, we see you soon!” Considering this is the second year Red Bull has taken this initiative, it’s clearly been working for the team.

Read More: How Did Mastermind Adrian Newey Fool McLaren to Join Red Bull?

Adrian Newey’s been at Red Bull for a long time. Over the years, he’s built this environment that he wishes to see grow even further. But until he stays with the team, he’ll always have one person to challenge him, and he’ll always have Red Bull to call his “home.”

Adrian Newey has found his home at Red Bull

The British engineer and designer joined Red Bull in 2006. Before that, he led Williams and McLaren to championship glory. But once he came to Red Bull, he hasn’t looked back. For 18 years, he’s worked with team principal Christian Horner. Over these 18 years, the two of them have gotten to know each other quite well. But one thing they’ve also understood is that they have clashing personalities. As per F1 mogul Eddie Jordan, “[Newey and Christian’s relationship is] not necessarily a marriage made in heaven.”

He continued, “Sometimes that helps! Adrian can be a fiery guy, and Christian equally so, but it works. I think, even though sometimes it looks somewhat a little bit turbulent from the outside, Adrian Newey has found his natural home.” On paper, clashing personalities like those of Newey and Horner shouldn’t work. But Red Bull has found a way to thrive with them leading the operation in Milton-Keynes. Whatever they’re doing, it’s working, and considering Newey has already signed a new contract, it’s set to keep working for more years to come. 

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Will you be one of the people to take Max Verstappen and Red Bull up on their offer to join their team?