Newey departure was amicable, say McLaren

McLaren put a brave face on the departure of technical director Adrian Newey for rivals Red Bull on Tuesday, saying it was both amicable and expected.

"The pressures of working for a front-running Formula One team are intense and we have been aware for quite some time that Adrian was looking for a new challenge with a smaller team," a team spokesperson said.

"The decision to leave McLaren was both amicable and mutual and we wish him all the best in the future."

McLaren, runners-up to Renault in this year's world championship despite having the fastest car for much of the season and winning 10 of the 19 races, said they had laid the groundwork for Newey's departure some time ago.

"For the past two years Adrian has been fully involved in the restructuring of McLaren's technical team in preparation for his planned departure," the spokes-person added.

"This team has already worked successfully together on the MP4-20 (car) and continues to be fully focused on the MP4-21."

McLaren announced in April that Newey would be playing a less hands-on role at the team, with Paddy Lowe promoted to engineering director and ex-Ferrari employee Nicholas Tombazis appointed vehicle project director.

Ferrari-powered Red Bull Racing announced on Tuesday that Newey, 46, would be joining them at the end of February as chief technical officer.

The Briton is regarded as F1's top designer, winning 12 championships with Williams and McLaren in the 1990s.

He joined Mercedes-powered McLaren in 1997.