Source: Official Team Post via X
Adrian Newey's Hefty Red Bull Salary Demand Revealed
Adrian Newey's £6 million salary demand when joining Red Bull is unveiled, with Christian Horner recalling Dietrich Mateschitz's reaction. Meanwhile, Michael Schumacher's influence at Mercedes surprises a former engineer.
In the whirlwind of Formula 1 news, a remarkable detail about Adrian Newey's move to Red Bull has come to light. Christian Horner recounted the negotiations back in 2005 when Newey, then at McLaren, demanded a staggering £6 million per year to join Red Bull. Horner shared that Red Bull's founder, Dietrich Mateschitz, initially reacted with disbelief, labeling the demand as "obscene" and "disgusting". Yet, despite the initial shock, the team ultimately agreed to meet Newey's terms, bringing the design genius on board.
Shifting gears to another F1 legend, Michael Schumacher's former Mercedes engineer, Jock Clear, dismissed the notion that he was initially reluctant to work with the seven-time world champion. Clear admitted that his preconceived notions about Schumacher were mistaken, expressing that he learned a great deal from him during their time together at Mercedes in 2011 and 2012. This revelation came during an interview with PlanetF1.com.
Former Ferrari driver Felipe Massa has also shared his insights, expressing concern over the current state of affairs at Ferrari. Massa believes there is a lack of clarity in the team's racing strategy, which he feels was not the case during his tenure. He alluded to a clearer set of rules back then, suggesting that recent tensions, like those between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, indicate underlying issues.
In other Mercedes news, James Allison offered an explanation for the balance problems that plagued their drivers during the recent Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Despite these challenges, Mercedes clinched the Constructors’ Championship in Brazil, marking the first time in 2026 that neither driver made it to the podium. Allison attributed the difficulties to Kimi Antonelli and George Russell being overly aggressive with their intermediate tyres.
Finally, Max Verstappen continues to be a formidable presence on the track, extending his streak of podium finishes to eight races in Brazil. Kimi Antonelli has identified Verstappen as the primary rival to his hopes of maintaining the Formula 1 title in 2027, highlighting the Dutchman's consistent threat.