However, The Guardian writes that both Newey and Red Bull were surprised by the reports and that he is yet to offer his resignation, with formal talks to follow.

Red Bull have simply insisted that he is ‘under contract to the end of 2025’ and Newey has not publicly commented.

Adrian Newey is reportedly set for showdown talks with Red Bull but has not expressed his desire to leave yet

He is frustrated at upheaval in the team amid a power play in the wake of the scandal that has rocked the team (Christian Horner pictured)

The BBC and German outlet Auto Motor und Sport were the first to report that Newey, 65, had stated his desire to go.

But speculation has raged for weeks that he might leave and head to Ferrari, where Lewis Hamilton is also headed after he wraps up his time with Mercedes this season.

It has also been suggested that his wife Amanda has been scoping out residences in Italy, where they might live if he joins the Scuderia.

Newey is known as one of the greatest designers in Formula 1 history and holds the brains behind 13 World Championship titles – six constructors’ crowns and seven for drivers.

He has been with Red Bull since 2006 and helped them to win 13 World Championship titles – six constructors’ crowns and seven for drivers.

However, the team has been engulfed by the scandal relating to Christian Horner this season and it has reportedly been an unsettling factor for him.

Horner was accused of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ by a female employee ahead of the 2024 season.

An internal investigation cleared him of ‘coercive behaviour’ but a bombshell email the next day purported to throw fresh light on the situation.

Red Bull top the standings despite their season being overshadowed by the allegations of ‘coercive behaviour’ – cleared by an internal investigation – towards Horner

ewey is a legendary F1 designer and could take his services to Ferrari if he decides to leave

A day after the internal investigation cleared him, hundreds of messages allegedly from Horner – some 𝑠e𝑥ual – were spilled to the media and F1 powerhouses, but Red Bull affirmed he would not be sacked and his accuser was suspended.

The bombshell email contained 79 documents, including hundreds of messages, many of them of a 𝑠e𝑥ual nature.

The anonymous sender copied in leading people in the sport, such as FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali, as well as accredited media gathered in Bahrain for the scandal-ridden opening race of the season.

His accuser has since appealed the verdict of the investigation which exonerated him.