Christian Horner is allegedly strategizing to remove Red Bull’s esteemed chief technical officer, Adrian Newey, from the Formula 1 team amidst escalating tensions between them. This development coincides with the ongoing scandal involving Horner, which has cast a shadow over the beginning of the 2024 season and Red Bull’s on-track achievements.
Horner faced allegations of ‘inappropriate behavior’ from a female employee of Red Bull, with leaked texts and images purportedly linked to the investigation. Although the 50-year-old was cleared following an inquiry, the complainant intends to appeal the decision, potentially intensifying pressure on Horner, who is married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell.
The situation escalated further when Max Verstappen’s father, Jos, called for Horner’s dismissal, indicating a brewing conflict within Red Bull’s key figures, where a resolution seems inevitable. This resolution could involve Newey, widely credited for crafting Red Bull’s dominant cars in recent seasons.
As a Formula 1 legend, Newey’s designs have secured numerous drivers’ and constructors’ titles since 1992, including the record-breaking RB19 from last year. Despite his tenure at Red Bull since 2006, reports suggest Newey has become ‘unhappy’ with the Horner controversy, leading to friction with the team principal.
Allegedly, Horner aims to transfer Newey from the F1 team to Red Bull’s RB17 hypercar project to alleviate financial concerns regarding breaching the budget cap. This move would allow for another staff member’s salary to be excluded from the cap, potentially freeing up more funds.
This development occurs as Ferrari targets Newey and other key engineers at Red Bull, seeking to capitalize on the turmoil within the reigning champions. With the recruitment of Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari aims to assemble a formidable team to reclaim the top spot in Formula 1, with longstanding ambitions to bring Newey on board.
Furthermore, Newey himself expressed ’emotional’ regret last year about not working for Ferrari or alongside Hamilton, hinting at a potential future move. The ongoing saga is expected to unfold as Formula 1 heads to Australia for the Grand Prix on March 24th.
