After Max Verstappen’s monumental title win in 2021, he became the highest-paid F1 driver on the grid. According to Forbes, the Dutchman earns approximately $60,000,000 pretax from his salary and bonuses. Meanwhile, the driver justifies his salary by winning on the track. However, Martin Brundle argues that Red Bull’s CTO Adrian Newey should earn more than the 2x world champion. And according to Brundle, Horner would even hate this reality check.
After all, Newey’s aerodynamic design prowess and genius helped the team develop the RB19, with which the Dutchman has dominated. The car is so far ahead of the pack that other teams are trying to imitate it.
Adrian Newey should be paid more than Max Verstappen, says Martin Brundle
Adrian Newey’s aerodynamic advantage has been a key component of Max Verstappen and Red Bull’s success so far. Hence, Martin Brundle had a fair piece of advice for Red Bull’s Christian Horner before extending his contract.
Brundle said during his race commentary with Sky, “Christian is going to hate me for saying this. But whatever the best-paid driver is worth, Adrian Newey is worth even more.”
Newey’s contract is up for expiry at the end of the season. However, letting go of such a genius wouldn’t be wise, especially when your team is poised to dominate F1 until 2026. Therefore, the Briton would hate Brundle for putting ideas about an astronomic pay hike in Newey’s mind.
The Red Bull CTO has committed to a few more years with the Milton Keynes outfit. However, it’s safe to assume both Mercedes and Ferrari will await the next opportunity to sign the 64-year-old engineer.
Mercedes and Ferrari tried to poach Adrian Newey
Adrian Newey is one of the most prized individuals in F1’s history. His cars have won 11 World Constructors’ and 12 World Drivers’ championships, making him one of the most successful engineers in the sport. Thus, the Briton has been a target for Red Bull’s fiercest rivals, Mercedes and Ferrari
Ferrari tried to sign Newey on multiple occasions. The Italian team opened talks with him in the late 90s when the team had Michael Schumacher. However, he rejected the offer and remained at McLaren.
The Italian team recently offered Red Bull’s CTO a lucrative deal and promised to sign Christian Horner too. Helmut Marko had to step in to block Red Bull’s top brass from leaving.
The deal cost Red Bull millions claimed Marko in a recent interview. He said, “The then Ferrari boss Montezemolo was already cheering in a paddock and wanted to announce the deal. But during the night we were able to change Newey’s mind!”
In 2023, Mercedes’s team principal Toto Wolff too, tried to woo Newey through his aides. The Austrian tried to convince the engineer to run down his deal with Red Bull and join him at the Silver Arrows.
However, Red Bull caught wind of the secret negotiations and offered Newey a better deal. This was humiliating for Wolff as Mercedes were yet to figure out the aerodynamic issue in their W14. No wonder every team considers Newey as the ultimate trump card.
