Adrian Newey was announced with much fanfare this week as the new technical director of Aston Martin. The British mastermind will embark on a new adventure in Silverstone next year. At the same time, Christian Horner, after nineteen years, bids farewell to Newey and his talents. The Red Bull team boss had his own thoughts about the festivities at the Aston Martin factory.
During a press conference leading up to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Christian Horner was asked about Adrian Newey’s transfer and the large-scale presentation by Aston Martin. “When Lewis Hamilton was announced as the next Ferrari driver, he was not brought to Maranello,” a journalist rightly noted. Just as Hamilton is still working for Mercedes this year, Adrian Newey is still on the payroll at Red Bull.
“It was clearly a big announcement from Aston Martin,” Horner responded. “Adrian (Newey) has always had a tendency to do his own thing. It was clearly an important moment for that team. Perhaps a party is a bit premature, as he has not yet terminated his contract with Red Bull.”
Looking Towards the Future
Horner was not surprised that Newey found a new employer within Formula 1. “It was no surprise,” the Englishman admitted. “It became increasingly clear that he wanted to do this instead of retiring. It’s a new challenge for him – of course we’re sorry to see him go, but we wish him all the best. He is unique in many ways and I think Aston Martin can greatly benefit from his years of experience.
Horner has had the privilege of working with Adrian Newey for nearly twenty seasons, who had already made his mark at Williams and McLaren before his time at Red Bull. “I look back on our time together with great pleasure,” concluded the team boss. “We have experienced highs and lows together, but now I am looking forward to the future.”
