Newey claim made despite Red Bull's '200 Mercedes signings'

Christian Horner has claimed that significant Red Bull signings are not being focused on by the media because Adrian Newey is leaving.

Red Bull has announced several key departures in recent weeks, most notably Newey, who will join Aston Martin on March 1. 

Another significant figure exiting is Jonathan Wheatley, who will become Audi's team principal when the German manufacturer enters F1 in 2026 but is remaining with Red Bull until the end of the year.

Both individuals have worked for the team for a considerably period of time, with Newey, especially designing every championship-winning Red Bull car. 

The Red Bull team principal recognises Newey is a significant loss, as is Wheatley, but that the Milton Keynes-based outfit consists of more than just two people.

"Well look, starting with Adrian, we had an amazing run with Adrian," Horner told Channel 4. 

"He's been a big part of everything we've done, and we'll look back with great fondness and pride in everything that we achieved collectively. But he's chosen to take on a new challenge. We knew that was coming. We've sort of been gearing up for that. 

"Adrian has been on the brink of retiring for 10 years, and so we had to be prepared for that, and I believe we have got strength in depth. He's chosen to continue and continue elsewhere. 

"And of course, Jonathan likewise, a long-term team member. But they're two higher profile names. The reality is that's just two people out of 2000 people that we have within the group." 

In preparation for the new power unit regulations in 2026 and becoming a powertrain supplier, Red Bull has made substantial signings. 

A considerable number of individuals have also been hired from Mercedes, a point Horner believes is not given due consideration due to Newey and Wheatley's senior positions. 

"We've recruited, I think, close to 250 people during the last 12 months, across the project, into powertrains, into the brand new engine shop that we're building," revealed Horner. 

"We don't talk about the over 200 people we brought from Mercedes. There's a lot of focus on the two people that are leaving, because they're slightly more public facing."