Verstappen: Newey leaving not as dramatic as it seems

Regardless of the reason - Christian Horner scandal, a very dominant Formula 1 car, Max Verstappen pondering his future - Newey's decision to leave Red Bull after 19 years means the team goes to Miami this weekend with the spotlight firmly on them.

Newey has been instrumental in the team's success and is considered as a major blow for the Horner-led squad who are yet to recover from the early season drama that saw the team embroiled in scandals, power struggles, you name it.

Facing the media in Miami, Verstappen was asked about Newey's announcement, he said: "When he started at Red Bull, he was incredibly important for the success that they have.

"I think over time, his role has changed a bit," he pointed out, "and I think a lot of people don't understand what he was actually doing. His role has evolved, a lot of good people came into the team that has strengthened that whole [technical] department.

"Of course, I would have preferred him to stay for sure, because you can always rely on his experience and he was a great guy to chat to and relate to him, and he would listen - very bright, very smart - and he would also talk to the driver, and then he would turn that into the car. He would try to imagine himself driving.

"But I also trust the technical team that we have, you know, outside of Adrian, it is very, very strong, and they have basically shown that for the last few years, regardless, so from the outside, it looks very dramatic.

"But I think if you actually know what is happening, it's not as dramatic as it seems," the Dutchman insisted.

The Triple F1 Champion was asked if he had tried to convince Newey to stay, he said in typical Max fashion: "I don't need to convince anyone because at the end of the day, if someone really wants to leave, they should leave.

"If you think that it's the right decision for yourself and family or you seek a different challenge or whatever you have to do.

"I mean F1 is a Shark Tank, everyone thinks about themselves at the end of the day. I know that you know I'm not stupid, so that's fine," he concluded.