Christian Horner has spoken about Red Adrian Newey’s role in the team as it moves into a new phase without the 65-year-old next year.
In order to fit with Adrian Newey’s traditional working practices, Christian Horner has shed light on the framework that Red Bull had.
According to the current Team Principal of the Milton Keynes-based squad, the engineering room setup of the Constructors’ Champions “evolved around” their departing CTO.
A more modern approach is already underway, according to Horner.
Rob Marshall, Dan Fallows and Adrian Newey’s exits show how difficult it is to keep the big names in the cost cap era.
“I think Formula 1 is a very complicated business now, particularly with the cost cap, elements that you have to take into consideration,” Horner said in Miami.
“You have to think very carefully where you commit your funding, where you commit your budgets, what resource, where you’re going to get best bang for buck.
“He’s the only designer in Formula 1 that works still on a drawing board. But of course, as the regulations have become tighter and tighter, and Adrian’s role has evolved and developed within the team over the last years, others have had to step up.”
With the introduction of fresh regulations in 2026, the world champions will hope Newey’s departure will not hinder them too much.
On the other hand, Horner is avoiding discussing thepossibility of a partnership between Newey and Ferrari, Aston Martin, or Mercedes.
“I think he’s going to take some time away from Formula 1, and at 65 [years of age], you can’t blame him,” he replied when asked how concerned he would be about the prospect of competing against his long-standing colleague.
“He’s earned the right to take some time out. What he chooses to do after that will be his choice.”
