Red Bull boss Christian Horner insists legendary designer Adrian Newey’s decision to leave the reigning world champions was not affected by recent tensions within the team.
Red Bull announced on Wednesday that Newey would step down as chief technical officer of the Formula 1 team with immediate effect and will work on other projects before being allowed to leave early next year.
It was widely reported that Newey’s decision to leave was influenced by a cooling of his relationship with Horner, with a public feud at the top of the club further frustrating the 65-year-old.
When asked if tensions at Red Bull were a factor in Newey’s exit, Horner told Sky Sports F1: “Absolutely not. It’s been a while.
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Max Verstappen says that although he is frustrated that Adrian Newey has chosen to leave Red Bull, he understands and wishes him the best
“There was talk about 12 months ago that it might be time for Adrian to think about retirement, so I know he’s been thinking about it for a while. It’s something we have to plan for.”
Newey’s exit leaves Red Bull in a historically dominant position, with Max Verstappen seeking a fourth consecutive drivers’ title and the team seeking a third consecutive constructors’ title this year.
However, the atmosphere at Red Bull was darkened by an ongoing tumultuous period earlier this year after its Austrian parent company launched an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior by a female colleague. Horner has always denied the allegations, but the complaint was dismissed on February 28.
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F1 drivers pay tribute to Adrian Newey after news of his Red Bull exit
An apparent power struggle has been unfolding at Red Bull following the allegations against Horner, who is under intense pressure after his star driver father Jos Verstappen asked the team principal to leave.
“What better time than the performance of our team over the past few seasons?” Horner continued.
“He is resigning, not leaving the company, but leaving F1 at a time when we are at the top of our game.
“We will be very sad to see him go. He has been an important figure in our team for the past two decades. We will be sad to see him go, but the show goes on.”
Sky Sports F1 Miami Grand Prix live schedule
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Tom Garfinkel, managing partner of the 2024 Miami Grand Prix, tells Sky Sports’ Craig Slater what they have done to the track and its surroundings Improvements to improve the experience for contestants and spectators
Saturday, May 4
3.25pm: F1 Academy Qualifying
4pm: Miami Grand Prix Sprint (race starts at 5pm)
6.30pm: Ted’s Sprint Notebook
7.05pm: F1 Academy first race
8pm: Miami Grand Prix qualifying preparations*
9pm: Miami Grand Prix qualifying*
11pm: Ted’s Qualification Notebook*
Sunday, May 5
6.05pm: F1 Academy Race 2
7.30pm: Preparations for Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix*
9pm: Miami Grand Prix*
11pm: Checkered Flag: Miami Grand Prix Reactions*
Midnight: Ted’s Notebook*
* Also broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event
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