"He is not an average desginer", claims Christian Horner as he opens up on Adrian Newey's departure

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner insists that while Aston Martin announced Adrian Newey as its new technical leader "slightly prematurely", he was not surprised to see the British engineer elect to stay in Formula One with another team.

Adrian Newey announced his departure from Red Bull on the 1st of May. Since then, he has been linked to multiple teams, including Aston Martin, Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes as well.

Aston Martin has now finally ended the speculations, confirming that star designer Adrian Newey has committed his long-term future to the Silverstone-based Formula One outfit, with the British engineer set to join the team next March.

The British designer will begin working at the team's Silverstone HQ from 1 March 2025 taking up a new role as Managing Technical Partner

Asked whether he was surprised to see Adrian Newey join Aston Martin after his 18-year stint at Red Bull, Christian Horner said that he had been expecting it for some time.

"Well, it wasn't a great surprise. I think it was becoming clearer and clearer that was the route that he was going to go rather than, you know, into retirement or any other team.

"And so, you know, obviously it'll be a new challenge for him. And, you know, we'll be sad to see it when he leaves next year. But, you know, wish him all the best for the future.

"You know, obviously I look back, you know, with great fondness, the time that, the 20 years almost that we spent together. And, you know, obviously the highs and lows during that period. But we look forward to the future. And I think we're well positioned for that.

Push on to comment on British engineer's qualities, Horner said that Aston Martin and Newey will need some time until they find harmony as the star designer has a unique way of working.

"Adrian is obviously a very creative guy and he's not your average designer. I think he's the only person still in Formula 1 working on a drawing board.

"So inevitably there will be a process of having to get to know each other, how each other work and so on. But yeah, he's unique in many respects and I think that Aston will obviously look to draw upon his huge experience.

"It was obviously a large announcement by Aston. 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," concluded Horner.