(Motorsports news) Since founding Red Bull in 2005, one of Horner’s most brilliant moves has been to lure renowned designer Adrian Newey away from McLaren. Even though he isn’t actively involved in the daily design process, Newey still has a significant influence on the team today, teaching the next wave of technical talent.

However, Horner believes that the squad has the depth under technical director Pierre Wache’s leadership to find its own path should Newey ever decide to move away completely. “Adrian plays a significant role in this team and our accomplishments,” Horner stated in a special interview with Motorsport.com. “Undoubtedly, though, his position has changed over the past few years, and Pierre Wache’s technical staff, which works directly under him, is doing a fantastic job and doesn’t depend on Adrian.

“He has the ability to come in, come out and work on other projects and I think that’s part of the evolution of any team.” Horner has compared Manchester United’s successful period at the beginning of the new century, following the departure of their great player Eric Cantona, to the process of not depending on Newey’s brilliance. “I was always a big fan of Manchester United, not as a Man United fan, but of Alex Ferguson, they had Eric Cantona and then they just evolved,” he said.

“Red Bull is a team that, we’re stronger for having Adrian with us, but of course the rest of the team is evolving.” Although Horner claimed to have personally received “a few” offers to switch teams over the years, he was adamant about sticking with Red Bull. “It’s always very flattering when you receive an offer or interest from another team, but my heart is here,” he stated. “I’ve built the team; I bought in from the very beginning, I feel a responsibility to the people and the shareholders, and all the partners that we have.”

He said, “No, because Red Bull has always owned 100% of the team and the team has always had tremendous support from the shareholders,” in response to the question of whether he had ever imagined being an investor in his team. “I’ve always treated the team with a responsibility that it was my own money to make sure that we spent it wisely and responsibly.”

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