Ralf Schumacher stated that Red Bull Racing will face difficulties if Christian Horner continues as team leader, amid rumors about Adrian Newey’s departure from Milton Keynes.
Red Bull Racing has been going through turbulence since the beginning of the 2024 season. Allegations of misconduct against the Team Principal have caused tensions within the team. Additionally, rumors about Newey’s departure have resurfaced once again. Schumacher made it clear that Milton Keynes could suffer even more under Horner’s leadership.
The former German driver emphasized the importance of providing Newey with a stable and harmonious work environment. In the past, Newey left both Williams and McLaren due to conflicts with team leadership. Therefore, according to Schumacher, it is evident that Red Bull is falling apart.
Schumacher believes that Horner is solely responsible for the current situation. Despite recent events, the 50-year-old driver has been trying to solidify his power. Schumacher predicts that Newey’s departure will not be the end of Horner’s problems, as other key team members may also choose to leave.
Schumacher claims that if Horner continues as Team Principal, Red Bull Racing will experience a performance decline in the next two years.
Red Bull has denied rumors that Newey has expressed his desire to leave Milton Keynes. The aerodynamics expert has a contract with the team until at least the end of 2025. Even if Newey decides to join a rival team, he may be placed on paid leave, delaying his ability to start working until the beginning of 2027.
An ex-strategist from Aston Martin believes that Newey’s departure in 2026 would have a significant impact on Milton Keynes. With the introduction of new regulations, a power struggle within the team without strong technical leadership could result in Red Bull’s downfall in the hierarchy.
Adrian Newey has not publicly commented on his future in Formula 1 so far. However, it is evident that he has several options if he decides to leave Red Bull. Newey is highly respected in the sport and may consider a new project with a rival team if Horner’s presence continues to diminish his influence in the coming weeks.
