Christian Horner vs. Adrian Newey: The Battle Over Red Bull’s Decline

Once an unstoppable force in Formula 1, Red Bull Racing is now grappling with a dramatic internal rift. The latest controversy pits two of its most influential figures—team principal Christian Horner and legendary designer Adrian Newey—against each other as the team struggles to maintain its dominance. Newey has hinted that his concerns about the car’s development were ignored, while Horner insists the problems run deeper than one man’s warnings.

Is this just another power struggle in F1, or has Red Bull’s golden era officially begun to unravel? Let’s break down the controversy.

The Crumbling Dynasty: How Red Bull’s 2024 Season Fell Apart

Red Bull entered 2024 as the clear favorites, with Max Verstappen comfortably leading the pack and Sergio Perez securing strong finishes. But the dominance was short-lived. As the season progressed, Red Bull’s once-invincible car showed unexpected vulnerabilities.

The Signs of Trouble:

• The RB20 became increasingly difficult to drive, even for Verstappen.

• Perez’s performance nosedived, leaving Red Bull with just one reliable driver.

• McLaren and Ferrari capitalized on Red Bull’s struggles, closing the performance gap.

• A shocking 10-race winless streak—the longest since 2020—sent alarm bells ringing.

Then, just as the team reached a crisis point, Adrian Newey announced his departure. The timing was too significant to ignore. Was Newey abandoning ship because he saw Red Bull’s downfall coming, or was he forced out due to growing internal conflicts?

Newey’s Perspective: Warnings Ignored?

In an interview with Auto Motor und Sport, Newey didn’t hold back. He suggested that Red Bull had gone in the wrong direction with their development choices, making the RB20 increasingly unstable.

“I think Red Bull, from what I could see… the 2024 car, and through the very last stages of ’23 as well, started to become more difficult to drive. Of course, that suited Max, and he could handle that… but even he found it difficult to drive.”

Newey’s underlying message? Red Bull’s technical team failed to address critical weaknesses in the car, despite his warnings. This was a subtle but clear jab at Horner’s leadership and the decisions made at the top.

Horner Fires Back: “This Problem Started Under Newey”

Christian Horner, never one to back down from a fight, countered Newey’s claims with a different version of events. According to him, Red Bull’s problems didn’t start after Newey stepped back—they had already begun much earlier.

“I haven’t seen those comments, but I think the issues are more deep-rooted than just last year. I think that they’d actually start… when you really dig into the data and some of the characteristics, you start to see them much earlier than that. Certainly during 2023.”

Translation? The problems existed long before Newey stepped away. In fact, they started under his watch.

Horner’s message was clear: Red Bull’s struggles weren’t caused by ignoring Newey’s warnings—they were a direct result of the very design principles Newey had championed.

Who Is Really to Blame for Red Bull’s Fall?

The ongoing blame game raises a key question: Who is truly responsible for Red Bull’s decline?

The Case Against Newey:

• If Red Bull’s problems surfaced in late 2023, that means they happened under Newey’s leadership.

• His extreme aerodynamic concepts may have made the RB20 too complex to optimize.

• He left the team at a critical moment, leaving others to clean up the mess.

The Case Against Horner & Red Bull’s Technical Team:

• If Newey identified concerns, why weren’t they taken seriously?

• Red Bull has a history of prioritizing Verstappen’s feedback. Did they overlook engineering flaws because Max could “handle it”?

• Dismissing the input of one of F1’s greatest designers seems like a risky move.

Ultimately, Red Bull’s downfall may not be the fault of a single individual but rather the result of deep-rooted mismanagement and internal dysfunction.

The Bigger Picture: Is Red Bull’s Dominance Over?

Regardless of who’s at fault, one thing is undeniable: Red Bull’s supremacy is in jeopardy. McLaren and Ferrari are closing in fast, and if Mercedes sorts out its issues, Red Bull could soon be fighting for survival rather than dominance.

What Happens Next?

• If Red Bull fails to deliver a competitive RB21, the team could slip further down the pecking order.

• A prolonged slump might lead to Verstappen reconsidering his future with the team.

• The power struggle between Horner and Newey could escalate even further, especially if results continue to decline.

In Formula 1, success breeds unity—but failure exposes divisions. If Red Bull can’t turn things around, this internal war will only get uglier.

Final Thoughts: A Saga Far from Over

Despite their carefully measured statements, Horner and Newey’s opposing narratives highlight a deep divide within Red Bull. While they may maintain public diplomacy, the underlying tensions are impossible to ignore.

Who’s right? That remains up for debate. But one thing’s for sure—Formula 1 thrives on drama, and Red Bull’s internal turmoil is proving to be just as thrilling as the on-track battles.