Max Verstappen has played down reports that Red Bull design guru Adrian Newey is focussing on other projects and steadily stepping away from Formula 1.
Newey has been part-time with the energy drinks outfit for several years now, but that involvement appears to be diminishing even more.
Former team driver Robert Doornbos said recently that Newey is working “much less” than before, as he gets involved in the Aston Martin Valkyrie project and now an ‘Extreme E’ team with Jean-Eric Vergne.
“I think when an entire organisation revolves around one man and that one man is not completely there, you will experience problems,” Doornbos said.
But Verstappen says it is not true that Newey’s role at Red Bull is getting ever smaller, even if the 2021 rules threaten to make it harder to innovate.
But the Dutchman said on his official website, “I think he’s involved a lot, especially with 2021. But the regulations are very limiting. That’s not ideal but compared to a few year’s ago, I think he’s more involved.”
While the Verstappen camp, with father and former F1 driver Jos very much in his son’s corner, is increasingly frustrated with the lack of firepower to take on the big two teams the driver remains upbeat for now.
“I remain positive. Of course, we expected a bit more but next year is a new opportunity. Everyone is working hard to start the next year well, so let’s see,” added the 22-year-old Dutchman