Sports · Motorsport · 1 hr ago
Newey says Horner may not have understood his frustration at Red Bull
Adrian Newey responded to criticism from Christian Horner about their time working together at Red Bull.
In his memoir, Horner said Newey wanted to “abandon ship” in 2014 after receiving an offer from Ferrari.
Red Bull was struggling with Renault’s new-era engines, which Newey said showed little sign of improving.
He said that situation caused him pain and frustration, and that Horner may not have fully understood how he felt.
Newey turned down Ferrari’s offer and stayed at Red Bull, where he and Horner had worked together for years and won titles with Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.
The two remain friends, Newey said, though he is now Aston Martin’s team principal and managing technical partner.
He said Aston Martin faces challenges like those Red Bull faced when he joined, including bringing teams together and improving the culture.
Adrian Newey said Christian Horner may not have fully understood his frustration with Red Bull’s Renault engines in 2014.
Newey said Renault did not appear to intend to address its problems, making the situation especially difficult for the team.
He said the situation continued until Red Bull switched to Honda in 2019.
Horner wrote in his autobiography that he felt Newey wanted to abandon the team at the first sign of adversity.
Newey said he had not read Horner’s book and that the two remained friends.
- Who
- Adrian Newey and Christian Horner, former Red Bull colleagues.
- What
- Newey responded to Horner’s criticism, saying Horner may not have understood his frustration with Renault’s engine problems.
- When
- Newey addressed the remarks on Friday ahead of the United States Grand Prix; the articles were published on 23 October 2026.
- Where
- At a team representatives’ press conference ahead of the United States Grand Prix in Austin.
- Why
- Newey said Renault’s problems were bleak because the manufacturer did not appear to intend to address them.
Christian Horner
Adrian Newey
2014 partnership
Christian Horner
Horner said Newey wanted to abandon ship at the first sign of adversity.
Adrian Newey
Newey said Renault’s engine problems and apparent lack of intention to fix them caused him pain and frustration.
Red Bull faced Renault engine problems under new regulations, and Horner said Newey considered leaving after receiving an offer from Ferrari.
Red Bull changed its engine supplier from Renault to Honda.
Horner’s autobiography, Drive, was released.
Newey responded to Horner’s remarks at a press conference in Austin.
- Engine supplier
- Renault until Red Bull changed to Honda in 2019
- Ferrari offer
- Newey received an offer in 2014 and turned it down
- Horner’s book
- Drive, released on 22 October 2026
- Press conference
- Friday ahead of the United States Grand Prix in Austin
- Relationship
- Newey said he and Horner remain friends
3 sources
What people are saying
I don't think Christian fully understood that, perhaps. But I was in conversation [with him].
But Christian and I remain friends. As many of you know, I am godfather to his daughter, Olivia, so yeah.
But at the first sign of adversity, Adrian wanted to abandon ship. I felt very sad about that.