Renowned F1 pundit Martin Brundle has ignited a discussion by suggesting that Red Bull’s design guru, Adrian Newey, is worth more than the highest-paid driver on the grid, much to the potential dismay of Red Bull boss Christian Horner.
Brundle’s comments came during the Spanish Grand Prix, where he humorously proposed that Ferrari should hire Newey to improve their performance and challenge Red Bull.
Brundle, known for his co-commentary duties on Sky Sports, stated, “Christian is going to hate me for saying this, but whatever the best-paid driver is worth, Adrian Newey is worth even more.”
The remark sparked a frenzy on social media and fuelled speculation about Newey’s significance in the world of Formula 1 design.
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However, Horner can rest assured that Brundle’s statement will not impact contract negotiations, as Newey has recently signed a long-term extension with Red Bull.
Horner expressed his satisfaction with the new agreement, highlighting Newey’s valuable contribution to the team.
“Adrian and I work together, we’ve been sitting next to each other for 18 years now,” Horner stated in an interview with Sky Sports.
“It was inevitable that we were going to extend that. He’s a great part of the team, and it’s fantastic for everyone that we have him on board for the longer term.”
Newey’s expertise and Horner’s leadership were once again on display during the Spanish Grand Prix, where Red Bull’s star driver, Max Verstappen, secured his third consecutive victory.
Verstappen’s dominant performance left his competitors, including Lewis Hamilton, more than 24 seconds behind.
With this latest triumph, Verstappen has now opened up a commanding 53-point lead in the Drivers’ Championship as he pursues his third consecutive title.
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Meanwhile, Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Perez, showcased his resilience by fighting his way up to fourth place after starting from 11th on the grid due to a challenging qualifying session.
Red Bull’s success at the Spanish Grand Prix marked their seventh consecutive victory of the season. Verstappen has claimed five wins, while Perez has secured two.
Mercedes had a productive weekend in Spain, enabling them to move up to second place in the Constructors’ Championship. However, they still face a significant gap to Red Bull’s dominant performance led by Newey and the team.