Adrian Newey’s “Personal Issue” With Christian Horner the Reason Behind Red Bull Mastermind’s Exit

Max Verstappen is reportedly set to negotiate a deal with Toto Wolff after the Miami GP to sign with Mercedes for the 2025 season. But why is the Dutchman leaving the most dominant team? One by one, all the pillars of stability within the team are falling due to the power struggle followed by Christian Horner’s investigation. Adrian Newey has also reportedly informed the Red Bull seniors regarding his will to leave. However, the reason is a personal issue with Horner.

Adrian Newey’s exit rumors have been circling the paddock since the investigation commenced against Christian Horner. Jos Verstappen suggested that the team would explode if Horner stayed, and that’s exactly what we were seeing at the moment. Adrian Newey, Max Verstappen, and Helmut Marko are all rumored to leave Red Bull at the end of the year. 

However, while it is clear from Day 1 that Christian Horner is the reason why Adrian Newey is discontent with the team and wants to leave, the exact details behind the Red Bull mastermind’s feelings weren’t clear. But now, it has been revealed that the personal assistant who accused Christian Horner was suspended, who worked for both Adrian Newey and the Team Principal. 

Hence, all this while, Newey’s wish to leave has been a personal issue with Horner. According to The-Race.com, Mark Hughes wrote, “It’s not as if Newey would be departing because of a general malaise within the team, either; this is very much a personal issue based around the Christian Horner controversy regarding the employee who served as PA to both Horner and Newey.” 

While Newey just signed a new deal with Red Bull that would’ve seen him with the team until the end of 2025, the unrest has led to Ferrari and Aston Martin circling around Newey like vultures. The latest offer was made by Aston Martin, reported to be equal to what Ferrari is offering Lewis Hamilton.

Lawrence Stroll is rumored to have offered Adrian Newey a $100 Million contract

Yes, you read that right; $100 million for Adrian Newey to join Aston Martin. Until recently, we heard figures of up to $50 Million as salary for the drivers, but Lewis Hamilton Ferrari’s move seems to have started a domino effect. After the $100 Million salary for Hamilton, Newey is now being offered the same, with Toto Wolff reportedly ready to offer Max Verstappen $160 Million a year. Ferrari, which just signed Hamilton, isn’t believed to be able to match Aston Martin’s bid.

It is common knowledge that Ferrari has been trying to sign Adrian Newey for 2 decades now, and the aerodynamicist himself regrets not getting the chance to work with the Scuderia in his F1 career. As a result, if Newey leaves Red Bull, he will most likely join Ferrari and work with Lewis Hamilton. In an attempt to poach Newey, just like Aston Martin did with Dan Fallows, Lawrence Stroll is rumored to have offered the colossal offer of $100 Million. 

Where do you think Adrian Newey will end up, Ferrari or Aston Martin? Or will Red Bull manage to retain him? Let us know in the comments.