Well, if Newey departs, and can go to another team right away (is not contractually obliged to take a certain period of "gardening leave", and doesn't want to just depart the sport altogether), and if whatever team he chooses still has enough budget cap and wind tunnel time left to do something about their 2025 car, then we may see a new champion next year. But I think 2024 is in the bag and Red Bull may be far enough ahead with Max (and the remainder of Newey's team) that they can coast through the final year of this car and remain in the lead. But Newey's departure would be a real blow to the new rules 2026 car. Too bad we have to wait almost 2 years for more excitement on track! 2024 will be known as the year where what happened off the track eclipsed the competition by a long shot.
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