Horner details Red Bull need to 'accommodate' Newey

Christian Horner has provided an insight into the structure Red Bull maintained during the Adrian Newey era to "accommodate" his traditional working methods.

The team principal of the Milton Keynes-based squad stated the set-up of the engineering room at the constructors' champions "evolved around" the outgoing chief technical officer.

Since Newey's departure was announced in the run up to the Miami Grand Prix, his relationship with Horner, as well as the Red Bull team more generally, has been a topic of discussion - including his "capricious" approach to work, as Craig Slater referred to it as.

It has been suggested that there may be benefit to Newey moving on, with those working with him - and the structure in place - able to operate in a more contemporary fashion, a process Horner himself says has already started.

"We had a structure that evolved around Adrian [Newey], over the years, that was able to accommodate the way that he works," The 50-year-old told media including RacingNews365.

"He's the only designer in Formula 1 that works still on our drawing board. But of course, as the regulations have become tighter and tighter, and Adrian's role has evolved and developed within the team over the last years, others have had to step up."

Newey's next steps 'his choice'

Amidst heavy speculation that Newey will join Ferrari once he leaves Red Bull in early 2025, there remains the strong possibility that not only with Horner and his team lose Newey's influence, but the decorated designer could be working for Red Bull's main rival. 

In 2026, F1 will bring in all-new chassis regulations, as well as the next era of power unit rules, meaning Newey's departure is all the more critical to the world champions.

Horner, however, is refusing to get drawn into the worst case scenario of Newey teaming up with Ferrari - or even Aston Martin or Mercedes.

"I think he's going to take some time away from Formula 1, and at 65 [years of age], you can't blame him," he replied when asked how concerned he would be about the prospect of competing against his long-standing colleague.

"He's earned the right to take some time out. What he chooses to do after that will be his choice."