Red Bull Racing is experiencing its most challenging phase since 2021, as McLaren and Ferrari steadily close the gap in the standings. Even Max Verstappen’s once comfortable 60-point lead in the drivers’ championship is now under threat. While some speculate that the team’s decline is linked to the departure of legendary designer Adrian Newey, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has a different perspective.
Some observers have pointed to Adrian Newey’s reduced involvement in the F1 project as a key factor in Red Bull’s recent struggles. However, Horner firmly rejects this notion.
“I think we would have had all these problems anyway because the problems were already there,” Horner told the media. “The contribution of one man could never help so dramatically so quickly. The problems had already started in Miami, and Newey was still involved in the project then. He would be working with the same people. Formula 1 is a team sport.”
Horner remains confident that the team will overcome its current difficulties, despite the absence of Newey’s influence. “The team will find a solution [even without Adrian Newey],” he added, emphasizing the collective effort required to regain their competitive edge.
As Red Bull grapples with its most challenging period in years, the team will need to find answers quickly to stay in contention for both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships.