Newey hails 'amazing journey' but F1 career 'now on a countdown'

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Red Bull chief technology officer Adrian Newey, perhaps F1's greatest designer, isn't about to depart his drawing board but admits that the countdown to his retirement has "realistically" started.

Red Bull Racing achieved its 100th win in Formula 1 on Sunday in Montreal, thanks to another dominant display by Max Verstappen who racked up his 41st career win in the sport, equaling the tally of the great Ayrton Senna.

Sitting as usual on Red Bull's pitwall in Montreal, Newey was soaking in the team's accomplishment when team boss Christian Horner ordered him to accompany Verstappen on the podium to pick up the Constructors' trophy.

Horner's request was a rightful and fitting tribute to a man who has played such massive part in the Milton Keynes-based outfit's success in Grand Prix racing over the years.

Also, according to several statisticians, Sunday's triumph was noted as the 200th victory of a Newey-penned F1 machine.

Read also: Remains of dead bird found lodged in Verstappen's car!

The 64-year-old engineer has been at the helm of Red Bull's engineering department since 2006. For Newey, looking all the way back to his entry into the motorsport arena in 1980 with the Fittipaldi F1 team, it's just been one big dream.

"It's been an amazing journey," he told Sky Sports.

"My dream always from a kid was to be in engineering and motor racing, so when I got my first job in motor racing and got my first salary, that was really the big moment.

"Everything else has been a bonus."

Newey highlighted two standout moments in his career: his maiden race win, achieved when Nigel Mansell triumphed for Williams in the 1991 Mexican GP, and season-ending championship finales.

"They’re obviously all special," he said. "The ones that of course stand out are the first one in Mexico, and then the ones where the championship has gone down to the wire.

"You can argue that is the end of the championship, so, of course, it’s that race - Abu Dhabi with Sebastian [Vettel] against Fernando [Alonso, 2010] and then Max against Lewis [Hamilton, 2021]."

As for the future, Newey - who is contracted to Red Bull until an undisclosed term feels that as long as his services are wanted, he's willing to stick around.

However, he acknowledged that he is now ell into the sunset of his career.

"I’m lucky enough to be doing what I have always wanted to do and enjoy the job," he added. "I’ve loved it.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.