Christian Horner Calls Adrian Newey a “Giant Bogey” on Aston Martin Debut—A New Era in F1 Design Begins

The Monaco Grand Prix weekend witnessed a significant moment in recent Formula 1 history—not for the outcome of the race, but for the debut of Adrian Newey, the sport’s most lauded car designer, in the colors of Aston Martin. Newey, who spent nearly two decades with Red Bull Racing and served as the architectural genius behind their dominance, was spotted in Aston Martin’s unmistakable green team wear, prompting a blend of emotion and playful banter across the paddock.

Among the voices reacting was none other than Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. Known for his sharp wit and honest assessments, Horner couldn’t resist poking fun at his former colleague. “He looks like a giant bogey,” Horner quipped live on the Sky Sports F1 broadcast during FP1, inciting laughter from the on-air crew. The comment, though light-hearted, hints at the depth of relationship and the void Newey’s departure has left at Red Bull.

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Adrian Newey: The Giant Behind the Success

To grasp the true impact of Newey donning the green of Aston Martin, it’s necessary to appreciate his stature in Formula 1. Over an 18-year tenure at Red Bull, Newey delivered an unprecedented era of success: eight drivers’ championships and six constructors’ titles, feats achieved with the likes of Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen at the wheel. His cars didn’t just win—they often dominated, combining aerodynamics innovation with reliability and speed.

Newey’s resume spans decades and includes championship-winning designs for Williams, McLaren, and of course, Red Bull. His legend status is cemented by his versatility throughout eras of changing regulations, consistently finding ways to exploit the rulebook better than anyone else.

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Aston Martin’s Ambitious Reboot

When it was announced in March 2024 that Newey would join Aston Martin, the Silverstone-based squad made a bold statement of intent. Aston Martin, though resurgent in the past season with high-profile signings like Fernando Alonso, have aimed to join the championship fight but often seemed a step behind Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari. Newey’s arrival signified a leap rather than a step—the promise of technical transformation guided by the industry’s best.

The Monaco Grand Prix was Newey’s first public appearance in Aston Martin attire during a race weekend, and his presence didn’t go unnoticed. Cameras were quick to pick out the 65-year-old in the pit lane, surrounded by the excitement that his track record brings.

Horner’s Laughter and Lingering Bitterness

Christian Horner’s joking jab at Newey’s new look (and the green livery likened to a “giant bogey”) masked a deeper reality: the loss of Newey stings. Horner admitted, “It’s great to see; I haven’t seen him in green yet. He looks like a giant bogey.” The emotional undercurrent was clear—after nearly two decades of collaboration and shared glory, seeing Newey with a rival team felt strange not only for Horner but for the entire Red Bull camp.

Beneath the humor, there’s reason for concern. Red Bull’s grip on the championship has loosened in 2024, slipping from the dominance maintained over the previous two seasons. At the same time, Red Bull has experienced a succession of key departures, compounding the effects of Newey’s exit. While still a potent force, the timing of Newey’s move—amid technical regulation shifts and internal reshuffling—could not have been worse for the reigning champions.

The New Challenge at Aston Martin

For Aston Martin, Newey’s arrival signals a new era. Team principal Mike Krack and owner Lawrence Stroll have both voiced ambitions for the squad to become world title contenders within the coming years. With Newey’s guidance, many in the paddock expect Aston Martin to close the gap to the front and potentially set the standard for innovation.

Newey’s first weekend in Monaco was, in many ways, symbolic. The glitz and challenges of Monte Carlo have always attracted F1’s best technical minds, and Newey himself has been a fixture at the race for decades—even attending during his gardening leave at McLaren years ago. Now, his attention shifts to extracting the maximum from Aston Martin’s resources, helping to build a car that can finally match the talents of experienced drivers and the aspirations of the team.

A Changing of the Guard

The laughter Horner shared with the Sky Sports team was, in part, an icebreaker for an inevitable transition. Red Bull will need to evolve without their technical architect; Aston Martin, meanwhile, are gearing up to test the limits of creative engineering under Newey’s lead.

For fans, Newey’s switch and Horner’s comments create compelling storylines beyond the on-track battles. It’s a reminder that personnel moves can reshape championship narratives just as much as new engines or regulation changes. The “giant bogey” in green, as Horner called him, may soon become the giant slayer, challenging Red Bull’s supremacy from within the very structure he used to lead.

Looking Ahead

As Formula 1 enters the next phase of its turbo-hybrid era, the impact of Newey’s move will only become clear with time. With new technical regulations looming for 2026, the battle lines are being drawn early. Aston Martin has made a strategic masterstroke with Newey—a move that could see them rise as the next great challengers.

Christian Horner’s offhand comment has quickly become a footnote in F1 folklore—a light-hearted tease marking the end of one chapter and the uncertain, exciting beginning of another. Whether the “giant bogey” turns Aston Martin green into F1 gold, only the seasons ahead will tell. But one thing is certain: Adrian Newey’s influence on the sport, regardless of uniform, remains as giant as ever.