Christian Horner Recalls Poaching Adrian Newey for Red Bull

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 27, 2026

Red Bull Racing principal Christian Horner detailed the recruitment of renowned designer Adrian Newey in the mid-2000s and his unexpected departure nearly 20 years later after internal tensions and a surprise signing with Aston Martin. Newey’s exit marks the close of a transformative era for Red Bull, which now faces the challenge of sustaining its competitive edge without one of Formula 1’s most influential figures.

Christian Horner, team principal of Red Bull Racing, has recounted his experiences surrounding the recruitment and eventual departure of renowned Formula 1 designer Adrian Newey. Newey’s move to Red Bull in the mid-2000s marked a pivotal moment for the team, while his exit nearly two decades later has drawn significant attention within the motorsport community.

Horner, reflecting on the initial signing, recalled how he first approached Newey amid rumors of dissatisfaction at McLaren, where Newey had crafted competitive but sometimes unreliable cars. Understanding Newey’s importance—often deemed essential to championship-winning teams, alongside top drivers like Michael Schumacher—Horner sought to entice the designer with Red Bull’s ambition and culture. With the support of driver David Coulthard, who had previously worked with Newey, Horner engaged both Newey and his wife, Marigold, in discussions. Marigold played a key role in negotiations, emphasizing the need for a financial package that matched Newey’s McLaren salary.

Despite initial shock at the requested sum, which exceeded Horner’s expectations, Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz agreed to meet Newey’s demands. The deal was sealed by handshake, with the transfer formally completed after sensitive contractual matters were addressed, including Newey’s request to bring his cherished drawing board—a symbol of his design work—from McLaren. McLaren principal Ron Dennis reportedly reacted vehemently to the request, but ultimately, Newey joined Red Bull, where his influence helped elevate the team to multiple championship victories.

Nearly 20 years later, the relationship between Newey and Red Bull changed. After some internal friction and an offer to move him into a role at Red Bull Advanced Technologies paired with consultancy duties for the Formula 1 team, Newey appeared initially receptive. However, tensions resurfaced following Red Bull’s strong performance in Japan, when Newey began expressing dissatisfaction over minor issues.

The situation culminated in Newey notifying one of Red Bull’s shareholders of his decision to leave, without informing Horner directly. When confronted, Newey declined to discuss the matter and referred Horner to his manager, Eddie Jordan—a surprising development given Horner’s previous direct dealings with Newey himself. Horner expressed regret over the changing dynamics but acknowledged that individual interests must sometimes take precedence over team loyalty.

Newey’s departure was further complicated by his public signing with Aston Martin while still employed by Red Bull, an announcement that reportedly caught Horner and the team off guard. Despite this, Newey continued to maintain a professional presence at Red Bull prior to his transition. Horner emphasized that no individual is bigger than the team and expressed a willingness to support Newey’s decision, despite the unexpected manner in which events unfolded.

Newey’s influence on Formula 1 is underscored by his legacy of designing championship-winning cars and his association with some of the sport’s most successful teams and drivers. His recruitment was a crucial moment for Red Bull, while his exit marks the end of a significant era for the team as it moves forward into the future.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.