F1: Newey Will Design Red Bull’s 2015 Car, Then Step Back

Adrian Newey has clarified he is still heading up the design of next year's Red Bull.

The paddock drew breath on Sunday when the team announced that the Briton, the only undisputed 'genius' engineer in formula one, is stepping back from the front line.

Red Bull has managed to keep the 55-year-old from the clutches of high-paying rivals like Ferrari by giving him an 'Advanced Technologies Centre' to indulge his desire for other design projects outside of F1.

Newey admitted he is frustrated with the ever-restrictive rules in F1, urging a "re-think" that could eventually take him back to the pitwall.

"I'm 55 and not ready for the beach just yet," he told reporters in Canada, "so I'll do this for a little bit and see what happens after that."

For the moment, however, Red Bull's new Newey-centric technology centre is not quite ready, and so the team's current technical director is still on duty.

"Yes, absolutely," said team boss Christian Horner, when asked if Newey is in charge of the 2015 car.

Newey confirmed to Germany's Auto Bild: "I will remain fully involved in the coming months and will design the car for 2015.

"During this time we will also look at how we set up the team for the future."

So it is assumed that after Newey's initial concept of the 2015 car is laid out, his design successors will take over.

"I will take on more of an advisory role," said Newey, "and will always be there for my colleagues if they need advice and help."

(GMM)

Red Bull takes up option on Ricciardo contract - report

Daniel Ricciardo will definitely still be at the wheel of a Red Bull in 2015, according to Germany's Sport Bild.

Correspondents Ralf Bach and Bianca Garloff claim an option on the impressive team newcomer's contract was taken up by the world champion team in Canada.

Ricciardo, 24, went on to his first career victory in Montreal, and the 2015 deal could be announced at Red Bull's home race in Austria next weekend, Sport Bild said.

According to the Australian Financial Review, the Perth-born driver has already hit the big time.

The publication estimated Ricciardo's base salary at $3.65 million this year, with a victory bonus of between $1m and $2m per win.

Bach and Garloff also claim that Red Bull's "long-term goal" is to keep Ricciardo alongside reigning quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel until at least 2018.

That plan, however, could hit a snag.

German Vettel is struggling at the wheel of the RB10 this year, with Dr Helmut Marko admitting that, after four consecutive title triumphs, staring at the rear wings of the ultra-dominant Mercedes cars is "not exactly motivating".

Vettel's frustration began to show in Canada.

German reports quote him as saying after finishing the Canadian grand prix third: "I'm sorry to say it, but our cucumber simply doesn't go anywhere on the straights."

He also seemed to criticise Red Bull's strategy plan on Sunday, after he got stuck behind the Mercedes-powered Force India of Nico Hulkenberg in Canada.

"I was waiting for some smart strategic move on the part of the team, but it never came," said Vettel.

Vettel may also be alarmed with the impending semi-retirement of Red Bull's genius technical chief Adrian Newey.

When asked about Newey's plans, Vettel referred to his existing contract before adding: "I'm looking short-term, if you ask me about the future right now."

Newey reportedly tried to ease Vettel's fears, telling Auto Bild Motorsport: "If my colleagues need advice and help, I will always be there for them. Sebastian as well.

"He is not losing me."

Marko excused Vettel for any signs of mounting frustration, including the description of the RB10 as a "cucumber".

"If we do not give Seb a car capable of winning, we cannot be angry with him for being disappointed," he told Bild newspaper.

Undoubtedly, just as Red Bull was keen to keep Newey out of the clutches of high-paying rivals, the team may also be making plans to keep its multiple champion.

Auto Bild Motorsport said one 'project' of the forthcoming Newey-led 'Advanced Technologies Centre' could be a bespoke F1 engine, perhaps involving the well-known former Mercedes designer Mario Illien.

"It would not be the worst idea," Newey is quoted as saying.

(GMM)

McLaren, Red Bull settle legal row over Fallows

Jun.10 (GMM) A legal dispute between Red Bull and McLaren is now over.

Earlier, McLaren supremo Ron Dennis was threatening to take the reigning world champions to court, after he signed Dan Fallows only to find the aerodynamics chief changed his mind and returned to Red Bull.

Team boss Eric Boullier conceded recently that McLaren was having to accept the likelihood that Fallows "will never join us".

Given Adrian Newey's looming withdrawal into semi F1-retirement, it is perhaps now obvious why Red Bull was so keen to hang on to his deputy, Fallows.

In the meantime, it emerges that out-of-court talks between Red Bull and McLaren over the disputed contract have been taking place.

The latest reports suggest a non-financial settlement has been reached, possibly involving Red Bull's early release of another McLaren recruit, Peter Prodromou, who until now has been on forced 'gardening leave'.

"Ron and (Red Bull team boss) Christian (Horner) have indeed discussed a number of outstanding issues recently, yes, and they have resolved them," a McLaren spokesman said.

"As Christian says, a handshake is all you need with Ron."

(GMM)