News Summary

Christian Horner has revealed that he began questioning his partnership with Adrian Newey more than a decade before the celebrated designer eventually left Red Bull.

Speaking to The Times, the former Red Bull team principal revisited the team’s difficult start to Formula 1’s turbo-hybrid era in 2014. Mercedes established a commanding advantage while Red Bull struggled with Renault’s underpowered and unreliable power unit.

Newey subsequently held discussions with Ferrari, which attempted to recruit him from the team he had helped transform into a championship-winning operation.

“At the first sign of adversity, Adrian wanted to abandon ship,” Horner said. “I felt very sad about that. I couldn’t rely on him any more. Our partnership was not as solid as I’d previously believed.”

Ferrari approach changed Horner’s view of Newey

Red Bull had won four consecutive drivers’ and constructors’ championships between 2010 and 2013, but the introduction of the 1.6-litre turbo-hybrid engines abruptly ended its dominance.

Horner, Newey and Helmut Marko attempted to persuade then-Renault chief executive Carlos Ghosn to increase the manufacturer’s Formula 1 investment. Newey later acknowledged that Renault’s attitude towards the project left him frustrated and made Ferrari’s approach particularly attractive.

Although Newey remained with Red Bull, Horner said the negotiations changed his understanding of the organisation’s internal relationships.

Horner’s comments indicate that the personal rupture began in 2014, rather than only during the power struggle that preceded Newey’s departure ten years later.

Newey eventually stayed and contributed to Red Bull’s second championship era with Max Verstappen. However, his role gradually changed as Pierre Waché and the wider technical department assumed greater responsibility.

Horner and Newey followed separate paths

Newey formally left Red Bull in 2025 and joined Aston Martin as managing technical partner and shareholder. He subsequently became the team’s principal as it began its first season under the new technical regulations.

Horner left Red Bull in July 2025 after two decades in charge. He has since been linked with several potential Formula 1 projects and recently called Ferrari his “dream job”, saying it is the only team he would consider joining without demanding an ownership stake.

That declaration formed part of the same Times interview, but Ferrari has given no indication that Horner is being considered as a replacement for Frédéric Vasseur.

Newey and Horner worked together at Red Bull from 2006, overseeing six Constructors’ Championships and eight Drivers’ Championships before their respective departures.

F1 today: FAQ

Who leads the 2026 F1 championship after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?

Kimi Antonelli leads with 302 points. George Russell is second on 236, leaving a 66-point gap after Baku.

Who won the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix?

George Russell won for Mercedes, ahead of Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar.

Which team leads the 2026 F1 Constructors’ Championship?

Mercedes leads with 538 points, 160 ahead of Ferrari.

Why did Christian Horner say he could no longer rely on Adrian Newey?

Horner said Newey’s willingness to consider leaving Red Bull during its difficult 2014 season changed his perception of their partnership.

Did Adrian Newey almost join Ferrari in 2014?

Yes. Newey held discussions with Ferrari after becoming frustrated with Renault’s commitment at the beginning of the turbo-hybrid era, but ultimately remained with Red Bull.