Newey is expected to make a big impact at Red Bull

Newey's former McLaren team had said he would not move until the end of February but the Englishman, 46, began work at Red Bull on Monday.

"I expect to spend my initial period observing how things are done, getting to know people and finding my feet in this new environment," said Newey.

He will be in Jerez, Spain, this week where the team will run their new car.

Newey, who was not involved in the design of the RB2, added: "The technical team is very strong and has a good reputation, so my aim at the start will simply be to understand how Red Bull Racing operates.

"I'm going down to Jerez tomorrow to spend some time with the team and to see the new car.

"It'll be nice to escape England in January and to be back at a race track again. I'm also looking forward to hearing the sound of these new V8 engines for the first time."

F1 has switched from three-litre V10s to 2.4-litre V8s for 2006.

Newey, regarded as the finest designer in F1, has joined as chief technical officer and will almost certainly be able to have some impact on the new Red Bull before the start of the season.

When he joined McLaren in 1997 after splitting from Williams, a new front wing was fitted to the car within a month of him starting work.