Tensions from the past in Formula 1 have resurfaced following the release of a new memoir written by former Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner. Titled Drive, the book sheds light on various behind-the-scenes moments during the Milton Keynes squad's dominant years, including critical instances when legendary aerodynamicist Adrian Newey nearly walked away from the team. Horner openly expressed his disappointment regarding the designer's attitude during previous performance crises.
In the book, Horner highlights the 2014 season when the new hybrid power unit regulations were first introduced. At the time, the Renault power units utilized by Red Bull proved heavily uncompetitive, triggering deep frustration within the garage. Horner wrote that he felt deeply saddened upon realizing that Newey was contemplating a switch to Ferrari at the first sign of trouble. According to the 52-year-old British manager, Newey's willingness to jump ship damaged the partnership and shattered the foundation of trust they had built over many years.
Responding to these accusations during media sessions in Austin, Adrian Newey admitted he had not yet read Horner's book but provided a clear context regarding the difficult situation faced by the team back in 2014. The 67-year-old engineer emphasized that the core issue was not merely an uncompetitive engine, but the apparent lack of intent from the manufacturer to resolve the underlying engineering flaws, creating an exceptionally bleak environment for everyone involved in the chassis development.
"2014 lief das so: Wenn der Motorenhersteller ein schlechtes Jahr hat, dann ist es eben so, man akzeptiert es. Aber wenn der Power-Unit-Hersteller dann offenbar nicht die Absicht hat, das Problem anzugehen, ist das eine ganz andere Geschichte, denn dann sieht es ziemlich duster aus," Adrian Newey stated, describing the painful period that only saw daylight when Red Bull switched to Honda power units in 2019. Newey, who is now working for Aston Martin, noted that Horner perhaps failed to fully comprehend the depth of his frustration during those testing times.
Despite the historical disagreements and the temptation of rival offers, Newey ultimately chose to extend his contract after Red Bull granted him the freedom to pursue alternative engineering projects, notably the Red Bull RB17 hypercar. Newey insisted that despite past friction, he and Horner remain friends, noting that he holds the personal role of godfather to Horner's daughter, Olivia, keeping their personal bond intact despite the dramatic revelations in print.
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