Red Bull STAR future in question amid Horner investigation

Christian Horner, Adrian Newey, Sergio Perez — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 News & Gossip

Red Bull STAR future in question amid Horner investigation

Adrian Newey and Christian Horner dynamic leaves questions to be posed about future plans

Shay Rogers

Thursday 8 February 2024 22:57

Adrian Newey's long-standing close working relationship could have negative consequences for Red Bull if the investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour against Christian Horner result in the team principal leaving.

Both have been at the team for two decades, and have been absolutely integral to the enormous success that they've enjoyed on the track.

Newey has revealed his temptation to join Ferrari in the past, which may be getting stronger again as Lewis Hamilton links up with the Scuderia for 2025 – with a potential dream team on the cards.

Red Bull’s current investigation into accusations of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ from Horner will come to a conclusion at a hearing on Friday, and in the event that he leaves the team, journalist Joe Saward believes that Newey could be off with him.

Christian Horner has been with Red Bull since the 2005 season

Adrian Newey joined Red Bull in 2006, helping to create a historic legacy

Adrian Newey helped to pioneer the RB19 which won 21 of 22 races in 2023

Horner and Newey intertwined?

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In a post on social media platform X, Saward discussed the unconfirmed possibility of a clause in Newey and Horner’s contracts that means if one leaves, the other does too.

It has long been believed that Christian Horner and Adrian Newey have contracts that protect one another. If one leaves the other can as well. This has never been confirmed - but it makes for an interesting dynamic if something was to happen to Horner... @JSBMnewsletter
— Joe Saward (@joesaward) February 6, 2024

Horner’s contract sees him through to at least 2026, while Newey’s - which was signed early last season, is a long-term deal with no specification on length.

Red Bull are slated to release their new 2024 car on 15 February from their factory in Milton Keynes, just six days before pre-season testing begins in Bahrain.

Red Bull Lewis Hamilton Ferrari Christian Horner Adrian Newey