Red Bull boss Christian Horner has labelled Aston Martin’s choice to announce Formula 1 design guru Adrian Newey through a live event as a “premature celebration”.
Aston Martin revealed earlier this week the expected news that it has signed Newey’s coveted services on a long-term deal as the team’s Managing Technical Partner.
The Briton will take up his new position in March 2025 once his near-two decade association with Red Bull, which has contained 13 championships, comes to an end.
Newey’s Red Bull exit was communicated to the public back in May, but the impending Aston Martin technical lead has admitted he took the choice to depart in April.
READ MORE: Newey reveals vital factor in choice to move to Aston Martin
With much speculation emerging about his next venture prior to the actual announcement, Horner has conceded that it came as no surprise Newey was Aston-bound.
Asked to give his reaction to the revelation that Newey will be remaining in F1 with a rival team, Horner said: “Well, it wasn’t a great surprise.
“I think it was becoming clearer and clearer that that was the route that he was going to go, rather than into retirement or any other team.
“So, obviously, it’ll be a new challenge for him. And we’ll be sad to see him when he leaves next year, but [we] wish him all the best for the future.
“And obviously, look back with great fondness the 20 years almost that we spent together.
“The highs and lows during that period. But look forward to the future, and I think we’re well-positioned for that.”
The Silverstone-based squad decided to publicise landing F1’s most decorated individual with an event open to the media that was broadcast via a stream worldwide.
But while he can understand Aston Martin opting to commemorate landing the revered design guru, Horner contends it was wrong to do so when he is under contract.
“It was obviously a large announcement by Aston,” he acknowledged. “And, you know, Adrian has always tended to do his own thing.
“So, you know, obviously it was a big moment for that team.
“They chose to celebrate it perhaps potentially slightly prematurely before he’s finished his contract with Red Bull Racing. But obviously it was a big moment for that team.”
