Red Bull will become a “mediocre” F1 team in two years’ time if it refuses to share tactics with Christian Horner, according to six-time Grand Prix winner Ralf Schumacher. Reportedly, the head of design, Adrian Newey, is about to become the first. He leaves the season after expressing a preference for taking his experience elsewhere.
The controversy rocked Red Bull at the start of the campaign, when a worker accused Horner of misplaced behaviour. An investigation cleared the team principal, who denied any wrongdoing, but the ruling has been appealed.
Jos Verstappen, father of the three-time world champion and Team Max’s star engine, publicly called for Horner’s resignation last month. By comparison, technical director Newey has remained silent, but the chaos has likely led him to seek a new challenge.
And Schumacher is convinced Red Bull is doomed to a devastating crash unless adjustments are made at the top. “Adrian Newey wants harmony, he wants an atmosphere, a position to work in,” he told Sky Germany.
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“And now we have to make it clear: Red Bull is collapsing. The sole duty of Red Bull’s dissolution lies with Christian Horner, who is clinging to power. I don’t think Adrian Newey’s departure is the last challenge he faces.
“Max Verstappen is already thinking about leaving, as is Dr. Helmut Marko. I give Red Bull two more years and if they stay with Horner, the team will sink into mediocrity. I’m quite a bit of that. “
Losing Newey before the new design regulations are implemented for the 2026 season would be a major blow to Red Bull. But Verstappen’s long-term may be even longer as the Dutchman continues to clear the ground with his opponent for the third year in a row.
Verstappen has a contract until the end of 2028, but an exit clause would allow him to jump if Marko, his mentor and longtime Red Bull motorsport adviser, leaves.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has publicly stated that he would like Verstappen to upgrade Ferrari-linked Lewis Hamilton next season. Verstappen’s imaginable departure may simply be another costly outcome to the Horner saga, which Schumacher said would cause “immense damage” to the reigning constructors. ‘Champions.
He told Sport1: “One thing is for sure: as long as this chaos persists, it will cause immense damage to Red Bull. Horner said no one is more vital than the team. Therefore, he will stick to this order and resign as soon as possible. “
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