Max Verstappen sends a message to Christian Horner after 'massive boost'
Max Verstappen has sent a clear signal to team principal Christian Horner ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen has described Adrian Newey's presence within the Red Bull camp as a 'massive boost'. This will serve as a clear message to team principal Christian Horner with the legendary engineer's future the subject of much speculation.
Newey has been a prominent figure at Red Bull throughout Verstappen's entire F1 career, designing the cars that have led the Dutchman to three successive Drivers' Championship titles.
The 65-year-old signed a new contract with the team only last year, but the speculation surrounding team principal Horner's position has renewed conversations about Newey's future with Red Bull.
According to a report from Autosport, Aston Martin have already made a bumper contract offer to Newey, leaving him with a clear exit plan should the off-track drama at Red Bull persist.
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Addressing the impact of Newey on the Red Bull team, Verstappen said: "We have a lot of people working on the car right, so it's a whole team effort that has to come together.
"Everyone's ideas get taken into account and you build the car that we have today, so yeah for sure, having someone part of the team like Adrian, I think it's a massive boost for everyone and many people work together to achieve the car we have today."
Verstappen will be keen to avoid losing any more key figures from his entourage after head mechanic Lee Stevenson departed the reigning champions ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.
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The three-time world champion addressed the fears that Newey could leave the team earlier in the week, explaining that "nobody" fears that the legendary aerodynamicist will leave.
"Two weeks back, though?" he added. "That may be. But some people also read a lot, I don't. And I think in general that does help. That's what I do try to tell people, yes, that they better not read it all for a while, certain things. And if there are any questions, anyone in the team can always call me."