Christian Horner, Red Bull's team boss, has drawn a bold comparison between Adrian Newey's impending departure and Cristiano Ronaldo's exit from Manchester United.
Newey, Red Bull's Chief Technical Officer, is set to join Aston Martin as Managing Technical Partner from March 1, 2025. This move marks the end of a nearly two-decade partnership with Red Bull.
Despite the loss of such a key figure, Horner remains confident in the team's ability to maintain their winning ways.
The comparison to Manchester United's continued success post-Ronaldo underscores Horner's belief in Red Bull's resilience and depth of talent.
Horner's confidence in Red Bull's future success without Newey is evident in his recent comments.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1, he stated, "First and foremost, Adrian was with us for almost 20 years and we had some great times in that period."
Christian Horner has admitted Adrian Newey's departure is like Cristiano Ronaldo's at Manchester United
PA
Horner emphasised the team's preparedness, saying, "We needed to ensure that, if he were to choose to depart, that we were in a position to pick up the mantle and the baton and run with it."
This assertion highlights Red Bull's strategic planning and faith in their existing talent pool to maintain their competitive edge in Formula 1.
Newey's long-standing relationship with Red Bull extends beyond professional boundaries.
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Horner revealed the personal connection, noting that Newey is the godfather to his daughter.
This close bond underscores the significance of Newey's nearly 20-year tenure with the team.
During this period, Red Bull achieved remarkable success in Formula 1, with Newey's innovative designs playing a crucial role.
The team's dominance in recent years, particularly their current streak of championship victories, owes much to Newey's technical expertise.
His departure marks the end of an era for Red Bull, but Horner's comments suggest a forward-looking approach to this transition.
Red Bull's foresight in preparing for Newey's potential departure dates back to 2014.
Horner revealed that Newey came close to leaving the team that year, prompting a strategic shift in their approach.
Adrian Newey has decided to leave Red Bull and join Aston Martin
PA
Since then, Red Bull has been cultivating internal talent and strengthening their technical team.
This proactive stance has positioned the team to seamlessly continue their success post-Newey.
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Horner's confidence in Red Bull's ability to adapt and thrive without their long-time technical guru reflects the team's robust infrastructure and depth of expertise.
As Newey prepares for his new role at Aston Martin, Red Bull appears well-equipped to face the challenges ahead.