Newey answers Horner's 'abandon ship' claim: 'I don't think Christian fully understood'
Aston Martin's Adrian Newey has responded to claims in Christian Horner's memoir that he wanted to leave Red Bull in 2014. Newey says he has not read the book, blames a power unit supplier that did not fix its problems, and stresses that he and Horner remain friends.
The claim
Christian Horner's memoir Drive, published on 22 October, includes criticism of Adrian Newey, the designer who led Red Bull's technical side for about two decades. According to the reports, Horner says Newey wanted to abandon ship during the difficult 2014 season and that Newey's later move to Aston Martin left him blindsided. Horner also sees parallels between Aston Martin's current struggles and Red Bull's early years.
Newey's answer
Newey, now Aston Martin's team principal and managing technical partner, was asked about the book in Austin ahead of the United States Grand Prix. He said he had not read it and would not comment on the rest of it.
On 2014 he drew a line between a bad year and a lasting problem. A power unit supplier having a poor season "happens, and you accept it", he said. What he found bleak was a supplier that showed no sign of fixing its problems, a situation he says lasted until Red Bull switched to Honda in 2019. He described pain and frustration at the time and suggested Horner "perhaps" did not fully understand it, though he said the two had talked about it.
Friendship intact
Newey stressed the personal side. He told reporters he and Horner remain friends and that he is godfather to Horner's daughter, Olivia. RacingNews365 adds that Ferrari had shown interest in Newey around that period, while Newey has disputed the idea that he was looking for a way out.
Aston Martin parallels
On the comparison with Aston Martin, Newey agreed that there are similarities. Both teams have a history of turmoil, including changes in ownership and senior management. In each case, he said, the job is to get everybody pulling in the same direction, break down silos and improve the culture, according to Crash.net.
What it means
The exchange is the latest in a run of reactions to Drive, with several people from Horner's Red Bull years being asked about it in the Austin paddock. Newey's tone was measured: no counter-accusation, a clear statement of his own view on 2014, and a reminder of the personal bond. With Aston Martin's season still under pressure, his focus on culture and collaboration points to where the team's work is concentrated heading into the final races.
