A major shockwave hit the Red Bull camp just before this year’s Miami GP, as renowned car designer and aerodynamic expert Adrian Newey announced his departure from the team. After months of rumors and speculation, the British engineer stepped down from his role as Chief Technical Officer, confirming he would leave the team by mid-2025. Aston Martin has already secured his services, signing him on as their new technical head and stakeholder.
While the move stunned the entire F1 paddock, the roots of Newey’s exit trace back to 2022. Helmut Marko shed light on the series of events that ultimately led to his departure. Although many fans believe Christian Horner’s controversial issues and an internal power struggle were the catalysts, the situation runs far deeper than that.
“Horner Has Taken Multiple Roles,” Tension Riles Up In Red Bull Camp As Senior Advisor Blames Christian Horner For The Downfall
After the passing of long-time Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz in October 2022, the future of the brand’s Formula 1 team became uncertain. Mateschitz, who had played a key role in bringing Red Bull into the sport back in 2005, left a void that was hard to fill. Oliver Mintzlaff stepped in to lead, but his lack of passion for Formula 1 and a tense relationship with Helmut Marko added to the challenges. Additionally, Red Bull’s legendary designer, Adrian Newey, found it difficult to adjust to the new leadership following Mateschitz’s death.
Helmut Marko reflected on Red Bull’s 2024 season, noting that it started off strongly despite some internal challenges involving Christian Horner. These issues, however, have now been resolved. Marko explained that the team came together to focus on their shared goal of securing the championship, agreeing that they needed to give their best efforts to achieve that.
The passing of Red Bull’s founder Dietrich Mateschitz and Horner stepping into a more prominent leadership role has led to significant structural changes within the team. Marko emphasized that while Horner’s expanded responsibilities initially created some turbulence, the team ultimately recognized the need for unity to develop a winning car and retain Max Verstappen as their lead driver.
Red Bull’s Internal Misery Grows Magnitude After Marko’s Trucebreaker
Earlier, when Red Bull was ineffective with its car development, the team unanimously decided to stay together and face the downturn. Even the senior advisor and the RBR boss decided to keep the differences aside and focus on the world title. However, the stretched slump has reignited internal conflicts, as visible in Marko’s recent remark. Thus, the Austrian outfit appears vulnerable both on and off track.