Horner reveals PLANS for…read more
Adrian Newey, the renowned star designer, and Jonathan Wheatley, the sporting director, both announced their exits last year. Newey is set to join Aston Martin in 2025, while Wheatley will join Audi, marking significant shifts within the organization. These departures followed a challenging period for Red Bull, during which the team’s performance dramatically declined after a period of dominance in Formula 1.
Red Bull had been in a strong position for many years, winning six Constructors’ Championships and eight Drivers’ titles, largely thanks to the work of Newey, who played a pivotal role in their success with both Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. However, last season saw a sharp drop in performance, with the team falling from their dominant position to third in the Constructors’ Championship standings, behind McLaren and Ferrari. This downturn raised questions about the team’s ability to maintain its competitive edge without these key figures.
Despite these changes, Horner remains confident in the team’s future. He emphasized that the team had anticipated these departures and had strategic plans in place to handle them. While Newey’s contributions were critical to Red Bull’s success, Horner clarified that the design legend had already stopped working on Formula 1 projects, having been focused on the RB17 since his departure in Miami. Wheatley’s exit, too, was planned and, according to Horner, Red Bull was well-prepared for these changes.
Horner also addressed his own position within the team, as there has been some scrutiny following an internal investigation into his conduct. Despite the challenges, including public calls from Jos Verstappen, the father of Max Verstappen, for him to step down, Horner remains resolute. He defended the ongoing work and projects at Red Bull, stressing that the team’s ambition remains strong, especially with the preparation for the 2026 season and the development of their own power unit. This upcoming project is considered by Horner to be the team’s most ambitious and challenging initiative to date, further solidifying the team’s commitment to success.
Although the departures of Newey and Wheatley are significant, Horner rejected the notion that the team was undergoing a major rebuild. He described the situation as an evolution, noting that the departures had been expected and planned for some time. The leadership changes, Horner stated, would not derail Red Bull’s overall strategy or its pursuit of further championships. He reiterated that the team’s depth of talent and experience remains intact and that the core structure of the team, including the efforts to support Max Verstappen, would not be significantly impacted by these departures.
As Red Bull looks ahead to the 2025 season, Horner remains optimistic about the future, confident that the team can continue to compete at the highest level, even without the involvement of key figures like Newey and Wheatley. The team’s focus will now shift to preparing for the challenges of the upcoming seasons, with an eye on the 2026 season an
d beyond.
