Ex-Formula 1 driver turned Sky Sports F1 pundit Martin Brundle believes Red Bull’s chief technical officer Adrian Newey is “worth even more” than the sport’s “best-paid driver”, which just so happens to be Max Verstappen.
Verstappen has been F1’s best-paid driver since he signed his long-term lucrative contract with Red Bull at the start of last season, overtaking seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton.
The reigning World Champion is reportedly on $55 million per season, something he’ll be on until his current deal expires at the end of 2028.
With Hamilton set to sign a new contract with Mercedes, it remains to be seen whether the 38-year-old will reclaim the spot as the championship’s highest earner.
Want to work in Formula 1? Browse the latest F1 job vacancies
Brundle, though, believes Newey is “worth more” than any driver on the grid, due to the influence he’s had on the Milton Keynes-based team.
“Christian Horner is going to hate me for saying this, but whatever the best-paid driver is worth, Adrian Newey is worth even more,” Brundle said whilst commentating for Sky Sports F1.
Since the start of the new aerodynamic regulations last season, Red Bull have been unstoppable, with Newey being a key reason for that.
His designs have seen the Austrians win every race so far this season, resulting in them already boasting a 135-point lead in the Constructors’ Championship after just seven races.
Nobody is able to get close to Red Bull, with the Australian Grand Prix being the only race this season where another team finished within 20 seconds of them.
The Australian GP isn’t really a true reflection though, given that there were two red flags in the final four laps.
READ: FIA official admits ‘political will’ for Formula 1 to race in Madrid
There really does seem to be a chance that Red Bull could win every single race this season, given that whenever either Verstappen or Sergio Perez falter, the other thrives.
Red Bull have downplayed the chances of this happening; however, it does look increasingly likely as each race passes.
With Newey continuing to discover ways of exploiting further performance from the RB19, a huge effort is needed by the likes of Mercedes, Aston Martin or Ferrari to reduce the sizeable gap.