Former F1 star Ralf Schumacher believes Red Bull is “falling apart” and Christian Horner is the sole culprit, with the team expected to “sink into mediocrity” within two seasons.
While rumours abound about technical director Adrian Newey’s long career, Ralf Schumacher has painted a bleak picture of what could happen to the Red Bull team.
Red Bull has been plagued by off-track distractions since earlier this year, due to the opening and then rejection of an internal investigation through Red Bull GmbH into Christian Horner’s behaviour as team principal.
With the investigation abandoned and the involvement of all existing shareholders, the case continues to make itself felt through all sorts of hypotheses involving other team members.
The most recent rumours involve Adrian Newey, the team’s technical director and car design supervisor. Newey has been with the team since 2007 and has played a major role in the Milton Keynes-based team to become the engineering giant it has become.
Newey’s long career with Red Bull has been in doubt following reports last week that he was contemplating an exit from the team: he remains under contract with the team until the end of next season, while Red Bull says it is “not aware” of Newey’s move. . to some other team.
But according to former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, the latest news is indicative of the turmoil unfolding behind closed doors at Red Bull.
“Adrian Newey wants harmony, he wants an atmosphere, a workplace,” Schumacher told Sky Sport News in Germany on Friday.
“And, at the moment, we have to say it clearly: Red Bull is collapsing. “
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While there is no indication that Horner’s investigation played a role in the decisions Newey makes, Schumacher firmly pointed the finger at the Red Bull team boss.
“The responsibility for this lies with Christian Horner, who clings to force with all his might,” Schumacher said.
“I don’t think it’s the last challenge he’ll have when Adrian Newey leaves him. Max Verstappen is thinking about it too, as is Dr. Helmut Marko, if you look at it that way.
The German driver then painted a bleak picture for Red Bull on the occasion of Newey’s departure.
“We did it last year when there were problems,” he said.
“[Newey] had health issues once and then without delay you saw what was going on with Red Bull. Max Verstappen struggled.
However, it PlanetF1. com understood that Newey would not be able to sign up for any other team until 2027 due to the length of his current contract and then a landscaping license era, meaning Newey would be 68 when he starts applying for a new team.
Schumacher, who has a contract until the end of 2025, said as much, stating: “If he wants to continue, he has to be free. Otherwise, of course, he will remain locked and will not be able to work on a new team. “.
“I give Red Bull two more years and if they continue to be Horner, the team will sink into mediocrity. I’m almost there.
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