# Adrian Newey responds to Christian Horner's criticism in new book

> Adrian Newey says Christian Horner didn't grasp his frustration over 2014 Renault engine struggles.
- Title: Adrian Newey responds to Christian Horner's criticism in new…
- Summary: Adrian Newey says Christian Horner didn't grasp his frustration over 2014 Renault engine struggles.
- Keywords: adrian newey, christian horner, red bull, renault, ferrari, formula 1, power unit, 2014, 2019, aston martin, sebastian vettel, Adrian
- Source: Sky Sports — https://skysports.com/f1/news/12040/13602762/adrian-newey-responds-to-christian-horners-criticism-of-him-in-new-book-over-red-bulls-struggles-with-renault-in-2014
- Published: 2026-10-23T23:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: adrian newey, christian horner, red bull, renault, ferrari, f1, formula 1, power unit, 2014, 2019, aston martin, sebastian vettel
## Newey suspects Horner didn't understand his frustration
Adrian Newey suspects Christian Horner did not fully understand his pain and frustration during Red Bull's fallow years with Renault engines after criticism in the former team principal's new book.

> I stood behind him and believed that he stood behind me as well. But at the first sign of adversity, Adrian wanted to abandon ship. I felt very sad about that.
## Red Bull's 2014 engine struggles
Red Bull initially used Renault engines but struggled with the new turbo-hybrid regulations that compromised their Newey-designed car performance.
## Horner's book criticism
Horner wrote in his autobiography Drive that Newey received a Ferrari offer in 2014 and considered leaving but ultimately stayed with Red Bull.

> I stood behind him and believed that he stood behind me as well. But at the first sign of adversity, Adrian wanted to abandon ship. I felt very sad about that.
## Newey's response
Newey said 2014 was a bad year for Renault as a PU manufacturer and that the situation didn't improve until Red Bull switched to Honda in 2019.
## Newey's current role
Newey stayed at Red Bull for a decade before leaving in 2024 to join Aston Martin as team principal and managing technical partner.
## Newey's Aston Martin parallels
Newey agreed with Horner that there are parallels between his early Red Bull days and his current Aston Martin leadership challenges.
## Key takeaway

Adrian Newey says Christian Horner didn't understand his frustration during Red Bull's 2014 Renault engine struggles.