Red Bull Formula 1 chief Christian Horner was adamant that the team’s achievements were “about the collective” before news emerged that Adrian Newey is contemplating leaving. Rumors suggest that Newey, who has been with the team for almost 20 years and designed their championship-winning cars, is considering stepping down from his role as Red Bull’s Chief Technical Officer due to concerns about Horner’s behavior. Newey’s potential departure could disrupt Red Bull’s successful streak, as he is the most decorated designer in the sport. However, Horner emphasized that the team has evolved to prevent reliance on one individual and has cultivated a pool of talented engineers and designers.
If Newey were to leave, the responsibility would fall on Technical Director Pierre Wache, Head of Aerodynamics Enrico Balbo, and Chief Engineers Paul Monaghan and Ben Waterhouse. Newey has been linked with a move to Ferrari, and there were rumors last month that Aston Martin had made a lucrative offer. Horner acknowledged that Newey’s success in Formula 1 would naturally attract interest from rival teams.
Overall, Red Bull is focused on maintaining stability and continuity within the team, while also nurturing and developing talent. The collective effort of the entire team is what drives their success, rather than relying solely on one or two individuals.