(Motorsports news) One of the most successful engineers in Formula One history, Newey has been a pillar of Red Bull since joining the team in 2006 and has helped the team win 13 world titles total—seven in the drivers’ championship with Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel and six in the constructors’ championship.

After engaging in various projects within the Red Bull company since 2014, Newey withdrew from overseeing F1 technical affairs on a daily basis in 2018, following Wache’s promotion to technical director. The 65-year-old British man is almost retired, yet he still contributes to the team’s machine design, which is highly valued and essential to their competitiveness. “He’s irreplaceable, yes – you cannot replace him!” Wache said. He’s not a part of our process every day.

He approaches the team more from the outside in an effort to challenge or assist us in many areas, such as vehicle dynamics, aerodynamics, or mechanical design.” After over two decades at Red Bull and successful experiences at Williams and McLaren, Newey’s experience is considered vital. Wache believes the team’s mainstay has “the most experience of the full grid in terms of engineering” and agrees he now serves as a mentor to the crew.

“You have to use him as experience, as he has less time for us,” he stated. “He is more… I’m not sure what word in English you use to describe someone who is there to question a certain part of anything. He isn’t there to carry out the entire car’s concept or strategy.” When asked whether Newey was now serving as the team’s sounding board and receiving ideas from them, Wache said, “That’s for sure.” And now he’s putting us to the test. More difficult, in my opinion, than agreeing.

“I believe it to be good. Because you notice different things when you take a step back. His background is distinct from ours. Furthermore, he possesses some knowledge that we do not. since we haven’t yet encountered that.” In addition to Newey’s experience, the Frenchman is also struck by his humility, highlighting the positive work atmosphere he fosters: “He’s a really intelligent individual who is yet extremely open-minded. He is not like others who believe their idea is the greatest because they are successful people.

He has an extremely broad mind. I believe he is pushing us and acting as a mentor in this way.”

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