Adrian Newey at this time (26 December) celebrates his sixty fifth birthday in a yr the place he has contributed to one more F1 championship-winning automobile.
He and his Pink Bull colleagues created the RB19, which received 21 of twenty-two grands prix to dominate each the 2023 F1 constructors’ and drivers’ world championships.
Nevertheless, it was not the primary championship the legendary designer has contributed in the direction of, with 14 of his automobiles claiming a title. Pink Bull’s chief technical officer has usually been on the forefront of F1 automobile design, so listed below are the championship-winning machines he has labored on at Williams, McLaren and Pink Bull.
Williams FW14B
- 1992 F1 constructors’ world champion
- 1992 F1 drivers’ world champion – Nigel Mansell
- 2nd in 1992 F1 drivers’ world championship – Riccardo Patrese
Photograph by: Rainer W. Schlegelmilch / Motorsport Pictures
Nigel Mansell, Williams FW14B Renault
Newey’s first championship-winning automobile is among the most legendary machines in F1 historical past. The FW14B received 10 of 16 grands prix in 1992, with Williams ending 1-2 within the drivers’ standings the place Nigel Mansell claimed his solely F1 title.
Newey was Williams’ chief designer and a key motive for its success that yr was FW14B’s energetic suspension. This was a computerised system which managed the car’s vertical actions in response to driving circumstances and helped to enhance automobile stability in corners and cut back drag alongside a straight.
The FW14B additionally featured traction management and a dominant Renault V10 engine, which really made it one of the crucial modern designs in F1 historical past.
Williams FW15C
- 1993 F1 constructors’ world champion
- 1993 F1 drivers’ world champion – Alain Prost
- third in 1993 F1 drivers’ world championship – Damon Hill
Photograph by: Motorsport Pictures
Alain Prost, Williams FW15C Renault.
F1 was very high-tech in 1993 with the FW15C on the forefront of that, that includes many various electronics and driver aids. Alain Prost described it as “just a little airbus” with energetic suspension, traction management, energy steering, anti-lock brakes and plenty of extra fitted onto the automobile.
It additionally featured a narrower nostril, smoother engine cowl plus a bigger rear wing, that means Newey and his Williams staff maximised the FW15C’s aerodynamics, alongside an influence unit that had 80-100bhp greater than the Ford V8 utilized by Williams’ closest rivals McLaren and Benetton.
All of this contributed to a different dominant yr for Williams, who received 10 of 16 grands prix with Prost clinching his fourth and last drivers’ title.
Williams FW16
- 1994 F1 constructors’ world champion
- 2nd in 1994 F1 drivers’ world championship – Damon Hill
- eighth in 1994 F1 drivers’ world championship – David Coulthard (rounds 5-6, 8-13)
- ninth in 1994 F1 drivers’ world championship – Nigel Mansell (rounds 7, 14-16)
Photograph by: Sutton Pictures
Ayrton Senna, Williams FW16
1994 was an extremely unhappy yr for Newey and Williams, regardless of successful the constructors’ championship. The retired Prost was changed by his previous rival Ayrton Senna, but the triple world champion died in a crash throughout the season’s third spherical at Imola.
As defined in Newey’s autobiography ‘How one can construct a race automobile’, the accident nonetheless causes him “guilt” as a result of “I screwed up the aerodynamics of the automobile” the place, as a part of huge adjustments, Williams switched again to passive suspension as energetic was banned for 1994.
The automobile suffered from a really slim set-up window that made the FW16 tough to drive early on, as Williams didn’t win a race till the season’s fifth spherical. However, two races later, the automobile was fitted with in depth upgrades that included a brand new flooring and amended bodywork which helped Williams to win six of the remaining 9 grands prix.
Such sturdy type within the latter half of 1994 lifted the British outfit from third to first within the constructors’ championship, whereas Williams’ Damon Hill misplaced the drivers’ title by only one level to Michael Schumacher.
Williams FW18
- 1996 F1 constructors’ world champion
- 1996 F1 drivers’ world champion – Damon Hill
- 2nd in 1996 F1 drivers’ world championship – Jacques Villeneuve
Photograph by: Motorsport Pictures
Damon Hill, Williams FW18 Renault
The FW18 was one other dominant machine produced by Williams and Newey, who as soon as once more was a pioneer when it got here to F1 aerodynamics. For 1996 Newey created a design that is still in modern-day F1, the place the driving force is extra reclined inside the cockpit with their head decrease and pedals greater.
It lowered the automobile’s centre of gravity that means Williams’ aerodynamics was properly forward of any of its rivals. That was matched by a potent Renault V10 engine that helped Hill qualify on the entrance row for each grand prix in his championship-winning season, whereas Williams scored over double the factors tally of runner-up Ferrari.
Williams FW19
- 1997 F1 constructors’ world champion
- 1997 F1 drivers’ world champion – Jacques Villeneuve
- 2nd in 1997 F1 drivers’ world championship – Heinz-Harald Frentzen
Photograph by: Sutton Pictures
Jacques Villeneuve, Williams FW19
The FW19 was the ultimate Williams chassis to obtain enter from Newey – he joined McLaren earlier than the 1997 season commenced – along with his work then completed by Geoff Willis. The automobile was an evolution of its predecessor that includes a extra compact gearbox, however the greatest change was the introduction of the brand new, light-weight Renault RS9 engine.
The v-angle was widened to 71 levels slightly than the 67 of earlier Renault V10s and in consequence, the engine was 27mm decrease with the centre of gravity dropping by 14mm.
Such a change helped Williams win one other championship in a automobile designed by Newey, though he was not accessible mid-season to develop, because the staff received eight of 17 grands prix that yr. Jacques Villeneuve claimed the drivers’ crown, however Williams had larger competitors within the constructors’ standings with Ferrari ending simply 21 factors behind.
McLaren MP4/13
- 1998 F1 constructors’ world champion
- 1998 F1 drivers’ world champion – Mika Hakkinen
- third in 1998 F1 drivers’ world championship – David Coulthard
Photograph by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Pictures
The 1998 McLaren MP4/13 is pushed across the circuit
Newey made a successful begin at McLaren clinching each championships with the primary automobile he designed for the British squad. It shortly grew to become clear initially of 1998 that Newey and his staff had tailored to the rule adjustments greatest, with automobiles now narrower and working on grooved tyres.
Regardless of the narrower automobiles, McLaren stored its wheelbase roughly the identical as earlier than as Newey prioritised stability that was much like the earlier era of automobiles.
The design – which different groups shortly adopted – made McLaren dominant because it received 9 of 16 races in 1998 with Mika Hakkinen claiming his maiden drivers’ crown. It additionally stays the final time thus far that McLaren received the constructors’ championship.
McLaren MP4/14
- 2nd in 1999 F1 constructors’ world championship
- 1999 F1 drivers’ world champion – Mika Hakkinen
- 4th in 1999 F1 drivers’ world championship – David Coulthard
Photograph by: Motorsport Pictures
Mika Hakkinen, McLaren MP4/14-Mercedes
The MP4/14 was the quickest automobile on the grid in 1999 with its potent Mercedes energy unit that gave Hakkinen pole place for 11 of 16 races. Its aerodynamics had been additionally extra superior than the MP4/13, but the automobile did have faults.
McLaren retired from a race 12 occasions that season with mechanical issues usually at fault, which price the staff in its battle with Ferrari for the constructors’ championship. McLaren in the end completed second, however Hakkinen received back-to-back drivers’ crowns that means seven automobiles designed by Newey clinched a title within the Nineteen Nineties.
Pink Bull RB6
- 2010 F1 constructors’ world champion
- 2010 F1 drivers’ world champion – Sebastian Vettel
- third in 2010 F1 drivers’ world championship – Mark Webber
Photograph by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Pictures
Sebastian Vettel, Pink Bull Racing RB6 Renault, 1st place
Newey made a dangerous transfer to Pink Bull in 2006 because the staff completed seventh in its debut season the yr earlier than. Nevertheless, it didn’t take too lengthy for the transfer to repay as Newey helped to design Pink Bull’s first championship-winning automobile and finish his 11-year title-less drought.
It got here with the RB6, which was the successor of the RB5 that ended 2009 because the quickest automobile successful the ultimate three races. So, conserving that in thoughts, the RB6 was fairly comparable however the automobile’s rear size was maximised to assist the double diffuser – a tool which improves downforce – whereas its controversial entrance wing might run very low in qualifying with out the automobile bottoming.
Such a design helped Pink Bull win 9 of 18 grands prix whereas clinching the 2010 constructors’ championship. Sebastian Vettel additionally received his maiden drivers’ title within the dramatic, season concluding Abu Dhabi GP.
Pink Bull RB7
- 2011 F1 constructors’ world champion
- 2011 F1 drivers’ world champion – Sebastian Vettel
- third in 2011 F1 drivers’ world championship – Mark Webber
Photograph by: Rainer W. Schlegelmilch / Motorsport Pictures
Sebastian Vettel, Pink Bull RB7 Renault, crosses the end line and takes the chequered flag
The RB7 is among the quickest automobiles in F1 historical past having achieved pole place for all however one grand prix in 2011. Vettel was on one other stage in his second title-winning marketing campaign breaking the document for many pole positions (15) in a season, surpassing Nigel Mansell from 1992 – which was additionally achieved in a Newey-designed automobile.
Newey and his staff did extraordinarily properly to beat the numerous regulation adjustments that had been made for 2011, because the double diffuser was banned. Pink Bull as a substitute discovered larger downforce via its exhaust-blown diffuser, the place exhaust gases headed in the direction of the diffuser’s outer part.
It got here from a flattened exhaust that was simply contained in the rear tyres, whereas 2011 additionally featured the introduction of DRS and the return of KERS. Pink Bull received 12 races that season and dominated each championships.
Pink Bull RB8
- 2012 F1 constructors’ world champion
- 2012 F1 drivers’ world champion – Sebastian Vettel
- sixth in 2012 F1 drivers’ world championship – Mark Webber
Photograph by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Pictures
Sebastian Vettel, Pink Bull RB8 Renault, battles with Lewis Hamilton, McLaren MP4-27 Mercedes
Not like its predecessor, the RB8 was not very dominant as exhaust exits now needed to be inside a particular space, forcing Pink Bull to alter its exhaust-blown diffuser.
2012 was a really tight season and it had a special winner in every of the primary six races, whereas Pink Bull received simply three grands prix within the opening 13 rounds.
Nevertheless, in depth upgrades for the Singapore GP considerably modified Pink Bull’s season. The staff arrived with a redesigned, versatile nostril that would push the entrance wing nearer to the ground. In the meantime, the RB8 additionally had double DRS added the place airflow was directed onto the beam wing under the principle rear wing, which helped to scale back drag.
It began a run of 4 consecutive victories for the staff, which included Pink Bull’s first entrance row lockout of the season in Japan, earlier than clinching each championships over the ultimate two weekends.
Pink Bull RB9
- 2013 F1 constructors’ world champion
- 2013 F1 drivers’ world champion – Sebastian Vettel
- third in 2013 F1 drivers’ world championship – Mark Webber
Photograph by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Pictures
Sebastian Vettel, Pink Bull RB9 Renault
With a view to get the 2012 championships over the road, Pink Bull delayed the event of its RB9 chassis. Regardless of that, Pink Bull had certainly one of its most dominant seasons ever.
Vettel clinched a fourth title with three rounds left, having damaged the then document for many consecutive race victories after successful the ultimate 9 grands prix of 2013. This was regardless of varied rule adjustments that included clamping down on entrance wings, stating its flexibility have to be not more than 10mm when subjected to a most load of 100kg.
Nevertheless, the RB9 nonetheless featured most of the traits its predecessors had, with it merely being an evolution that didn’t embody the ‘stepped nostril’ from 2012. Ultimately, the RB9 received 13 of 19 grands prix however it was Pink Bull and Newey’s final championship for a number of years.
Pink Bull RB16B
- 2nd in 2021 F1 constructors’ world championship
- 2021 F1 drivers’ world champion – Max Verstappen
- 4th in 2021 F1 drivers’ world championship – Sergio Perez
Photograph by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Pictures
Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing RB16B
Some regulation tweaks for 2021 aided a title battle for the ages between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Modifications had been made to the automobile flooring, diffuser and rear brake winglets to scale back aerodynamic efficiency by 10% as a manner of constructing issues safer for Pirelli tyres.
Much less downforce affected Mercedes extra as its aerodynamic excellence helped the staff win each F1 championship between 2014 and 2020, whereas Pink Bull had an upgraded Honda engine fitted so their pace was mega in 2021.
It arrange an extremely shut combat in each championships the place Verstappen received his maiden title within the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi GP, however Pink Bull simply missed out on the constructors’ crown to Mercedes.
Pink Bull RB18
- 2022 F1 constructors’ world champion
- 2022 F1 drivers’ world champion – Max Verstappen
- third in 2022 F1 drivers’ world championship – Sergio Perez
Photograph by: Erik Junius
Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing RB18
2022 noticed the reintroduction of floor impact automobiles to F1 and as with many earlier regulation adjustments, a automobile labored on by Newey was the one to beat. With earlier expertise in floor impact, Newey realised automobile stability was essential and it was due to this fact no coincidence the RB18 didn’t porpoise like its opponents.
This was after Pink Bull centered work on a powerful suspension, whereas in addition they opted for an aggressive sidepod idea that different groups shortly adopted. However the RB18 took some time to turn out to be dominant after beginning 2022 as obese so, whereas it was sturdy in race trim, Ferrari had the quickest automobile on one lap however Pink Bull diminished its automobile’s weight as 2022 wore on.
This resulted in Pink Bull ending the yr as F1’s dominant outfit, having received 17 of twenty-two grands prix whereas clinching each titles with rounds to spare to provide one other certainly one of Newey’s automobiles a championship.
Pink Bull RB19
- 2023 F1 constructors’ world champion
- 2023 F1 drivers’ world champion – Max Verstappen
- 2nd in 2023 F1 drivers’ world championship – Sergio Perez
Photograph by: Pink Bull Content material Pool
Race winner Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing RB19
The RB19 is statistically the most dominant automobile in F1 historical past after sealing each championships comfortably with the very best win proportion in a season.
It was an evolution of the RB18 however with one huge change which got here to the automobile flooring, the place as a substitute of being flat it featured two tunnels that channelled airflow to the diffuser. The RB19 was additionally praised for its effectivity the place it produced important downforce whereas being speedy down the straights.
Regardless of all the championships Newey has helped to win, 2023 was most likely his greatest but. The automobile was virtually unstoppable and Singapore was the RB19’s solely setback, ending off the rostrum, as Pink Bull struggled with set-up throughout the weekend.
