Red Bull identify Adrian Newey trait key to success of F1 2023’s dominant force

Red Bull technical director Pierre Wache has shed some light on the involvement of Adrian Newey on day-to-day operations at Milton Keynes.

Adrian Newey remains in charge of Red Bull’s technical department, having taken on the role of chief technical officer some 10 years ago. Under Newey, technical director Pierre Wache has flourished in his role – playing a key part in the creation of several race-winning cars and the title-winning RB16B, RB18, and RB19.

While the view from outside may be that Newey is the genius behind the creation of such dominant machinery, having also overseen dominant runs with Williams, McLaren, and an earlier run with Red Bull, Wache has shed some light on how the structure at Red Bull has allowed other talented engineers to shine under Newey’s watch.

Pierre Wache: Structure at Red Bull allows for balance

Speaking in an interviewwith Motorsport.com, Wache praised the technical structure that is in place at Red Bull – one he feels continues to prove works successfully.

“The structure is made to have people we can trust in the system, whether on the track or in the factory, and to be able to develop the work in the way we want,” Wache said.

“Adrian goes into every area where he wants to be able to interact with everyone and challenge the system. It’s fortunate that he can look at the small details in some areas, and the bigger picture in others.”

“When you’re doing your job and you’ve got someone you know well by your side, if you take a step back it can be very beneficial. The intention of everyone in the team is to make the car faster, but the way everyone goes about it will be different. So I think the balance we have is pretty good.”

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Did Adrian Newey knowledge help with porpoising phenomenon?

With Red Bull having nailed the switch to the ground-effect regulations with very little effect of porpoising – an aerodynamic phenomenon that plagued most of the cars on the grid – Newey was singled out for praise by fans and pundits.

Having written his university thesis on the topic, Newey’s knowledge proved invaluable, with the engineer able to guide Wache and the rest of the technical team through the change to ground-effect.

While Wache denied Newey directly prevented Red Bull from encountering porpoising, he said that he offered very clear guidance in terms of floor stiffness – an area that’s proven hugely beneficial since.

“On rebound, no, but on others, yes,” he said, of what Newey had passed on from his knowledge.

“The stiffness of the floor, and everything that was needed, was highlighted before. The porpoising hadn’t been anticipated, but [the importance of the] bearing had.”

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