What Christian Horner’s relationship with Aston Martin chief Adrian Newey is like amid 2026 links

Follow us on Google Discover

Christian Horner has become the latest key figure to leave Red Bull over the past two years, joining the likes of Adrian Newey to seek pastures new.

Red Bull have lost several key personnel since 2024, with Jonathan Wheatley joining Sauber – soon to be Audi – and Will Courtenay and Rob Marshall joining McLaren. Newey was the biggest departure of them all, announcing his exit midway through last year.

The legendary engineer and designer played a significant role in building Red Bull from a midfield team to multiple world champions. Newey stunned the paddock with his sudden decision to leave Milton Keynes for Aston Martin.

After initial rumours about retirement, the 66-year-old stated that he wanted a fresh challenge in F1. However, there was some talk about conflict between Newey and Horner, amid the friction within the team’s hierarchy in 2024.

Newey believed Horner tried to underplay his contributions at Red Bull, despite having a vital role in the technical department. Now a key figure in the project at Aston Martin, speculation has suggested that the two could reunite.

Christian Horner still has a relationship with Adrian Newey despite rumours of ‘conflict’ amid Aston Martin links

Horner has officially left Red Bull after 20 years with the team, having been sacked as team principal in July. Horner has received an £80m payout from Red Bull after reaching an agreement to terminate his contract, which ran until 2030.

Horner is free to join another team in the summer of 2026, with the 51-year-old set to take on some kind of ownership role, rather than a team principal. It has been reported that Horner ‘could be going’ to Aston Martin, which would spark a reunion with Newey and Honda.

Aston Martin already have a strong management team in place under Lawrence Stroll and Andy Cowell, and Horner would add a wealth of expertise. The supposed ‘conflict’ between the Brit and Newey is also not as it seems.

Journalist Jon Noble said via The Race that it would not be ‘impossible’ to imagine the pair working together at Aston Martin. Horner still has a strong bond with Newey after leaving Red Bull.

“On Newey, I think it’s just quite interesting, the dynamics of their relationship,” he said. “Because I think, while we hear talk of conflict and I think the circumstances around Christian last year were a factor in Adrian deciding he wanted to leave Red Bull and not extend his contract.

“We hear stories that they have dinner together, they go to events together, they’ve achieved a lot of success together. So I don’t think it impossible that the pair could renew a working association.”

READ MORE: All to know about Aston Martin managing technical partner Adrian Newey

Christian Horner could be just who Aston Martin need to be successful in 2026

Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll are banking on 2026 for Aston Martin to provide them with a competitive car. The pair have struggled with inconsistent machinery this season as they find themselves seventh in the standings.

The Silverstone outfit are predicted to make a step forward next season, which their drivers will desperately hope is the case as their futures could be uncertain. Alonso is out of contract in 2026 and could retire from F1, while Stroll is supposedly considering going to rallying.

Newey is the technical engineer that the team needs, with his incredible work and expertise behind the scenes already having an impact. Alonso has been waxing lyrical about Newey and his self-confidence in his ability.

Adding Horner to the mix would only boost the team further, given his monumental success with Red Bull. His leadership, as well as his relationship with Newey, could put Aston Martin in a good position to fight in 2026.