F1 REPORT: Ralf Schumacher scoffs at Red Bull ‘nonsense’ in ‘work

Ralf Schumacher Scoffs at Red Bull’s Future Without Adrian Newey, Predicts Aston Martin Surge

Ralf Schumacher, the former Formula 1 driver and analyst, has cast doubt on Red Bull Racing’s ability to maintain its competitive edge without the legendary designer Adrian Newey. Schumacher dismissed recent comments made by Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner, who claimed the team is on a “good path” for the upcoming 2026 regulations, labeling the statement as “nonsense.”

Schumacher’s skepticism stems from Newey’s imminent departure from Red Bull to Aston Martin, where he will take up a new role as Managing Technical Partner starting in March 2025. Newey is widely regarded as one of the most brilliant minds in Formula 1 history, having designed multiple championship-winning cars for Williams, McLaren, and Red Bull over the past decades.

While Horner remains optimistic about Red Bull’s future, Schumacher has voiced serious concerns about how the team will perform without Newey’s expertise. Speaking to Sky Deutschland, Schumacher said, “He’s [Horner] of the opinion that it could work without Adrian Newey. Accordingly, you might have to be a little cautious with this analysis.”

Schumacher believes that Newey’s departure will leave a significant void at Red Bull, one that may be impossible to fill. He expressed doubts over Horner’s optimism, suggesting that the current success of the team is heavily reliant on Newey’s influence. This leaves an open question as to how the team will fare once Newey exits.

Newey’s Move to Aston Martin Signals Potential for a New Dominant Force

In contrast, Schumacher is bullish about Aston Martin’s future, especially with Newey’s arrival on the horizon. While Newey’s official role begins in 2025, Schumacher believes Aston Martin could see a drastic improvement well before then.

“I am very, very sure, although he does not start officially until next year, that Aston Martin will make a miraculous leap – as early as next year, if not even now towards the end of the year,” Schumacher predicted. His optimism stems from the fact that Newey’s presence at Aston Martin could already be influencing the team’s development for the 2024 season and beyond.

Aston Martin has been making strides under the leadership of Lawrence Stroll, and the arrival of Fernando Alonso has boosted their competitive ambitions. Adding Newey to the mix could see Aston Martin emerge as a top contender, potentially challenging the likes of Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari in the near future.

Schumacher also speculated that Newey’s decision to leave Red Bull might have been driven by discomfort within the team. Referring to the early-season drama involving Horner, he suggested that Newey may have been looking for an environment where he could focus purely on building fast cars and winning races, without the political complexities that often come with running a top team.

“He just wants to do motorsport. He wants to have enthusiastic people around him who have no sensitivities, and only one goal: to build fast cars and win races,” Schumacher explained, suggesting that Aston Martin may be the perfect place for Newey to thrive.

Grim Prediction for Christian Horner’s Future

Beyond the immediate impact on Red Bull’s car development, Schumacher offered a stark prediction for Christian Horner’s future as Team Principal. According to Schumacher, the dip in Red Bull’s performance post-Newey could spell the end of Horner’s long tenure at the helm of the team.

“The performance is no longer there. That’s something he has to accept,” Schumacher said in reference to Horner. “I’m not sure whether he can survive it. I suspect no.”

Schumacher’s comments add fuel to the speculation that Horner could be on shaky ground if Red Bull fails to maintain its competitive form after Newey’s departure. While Horner has been a cornerstone of Red Bull’s success since its inception, Schumacher’s remarks suggest that Red Bull’s dominance may be at risk, and that Horner may not survive the impending storm.

As Red Bull gears up for the 2026 regulation changes, the departure of Newey looms large, with the team’s future success now uncertain. Meanwhile, Aston Martin’s fortunes appear to be on the rise, especially with the prospect of Newey leading their technical charge. Whether Schumacher’s predictions hold true remains to be seen, but the next few seasons could prove pivotal for both teams.