Christian Horner left red-faced as Adrian Newey contradicts Red Bull chief on key issue
Christian Horner and Adrian Newey had differing views on the engineer's approach to one key issue.
Adrian Newey left Christian Horner red-faced at the Miami Grand Prix a week ago when he claimed that he loves regulation changes, just hours after the Red Bull team principal insisted that the veteran aerodynamicist ‘hated every single regulation change’.
The 65-year-old engineer called time on his near-two-decade-long Red Bull career ahead of the Miami GP, announcing that he will be leaving the reigning world champions in the first quarter of 2025.
Newey cited ‘tiredness’ and a desire for a break from the rigours of F1 as the leading factor influencing his decision, but reports have confirmed that a behind-the-scenes falling out with Horner, combined with the ongoing uncertainty and internal power struggle within Red Bull as major contributing factors in the decision.
Ahead of the race in Miami, Horner spoke to the Sky Sports F1 team about the factors that could have influenced Newey’s decision. He said: “The ironic thing is, he has always hated every single regulation change.
"2026 is a unique one, because it's both chassis and engine regs. But it's a very different world these days with the cost cap and the restrictions that we have on resource.”
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These comments were not supported by Newey himself when the Essex-born engineer caught up with Sky Sports F1. Asked whether or not the upcoming technical regulation changes could tempt him into a return to the sport with Ferrari or another squad, he replied: "I do enjoy regulation changes, for sure.
"This current crop of regulations was the biggest regulations change we've had since 1983 when flat-bottom floors came in. So, I really enjoyed the challenge of all the research and detail design of that car.
"These two subsequent cars are evolutions of that car, and next year's car will be the third evolution of that car, so that's been a great series - one that surprised me just how much there is in these cars. When I first looked at the regulations, I wasn't so sure. But yeah, it's been fun."
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While Newey insisted that the time was right to take a break from F1, multiple teams are still chasing his signature and many key figures within the paddock expect him to return to the sport before long.
Ferrari are the leading contender as Fred Vasseur continues to assemble his super team following the addition of Lewis Hamilton, although Williams boss James Vowles is hoping that the prospect of restoring his struggling former team to glory could tempt Newey back to Grove for the 2025 campaign.