Monaghan mourns Newey’s exit as a major loss for Red Bull.
Paul Monaghan, the chief engineer at Red Bull, acknowledges that he will miss Adrian Newey, as the pair have worked closely for many years. However, he respects the decision of the Milton Keynes-based car designer.
“If he wishes to stop, I fully respect that and say ‘OK, it’s his choice’. On a personal level, I will miss his input and his humble explanations when I’ve failed to understand something,” Monaghan admits.
“He would then elaborate on how things are supposed to work and what we are supposed to do. It’s simply different. But times change, and he has made his own decision. I’m somewhat saddened because it’s a loss for the team, and he has contributed so much to the team that I think it’s a shame.”
“I’ve always admired his way of designing as well. He just wanted to make sure the car was the best it could be. And wherever the ideas came from, he always knew how to solve the problems. So from a personal perspective, I find it a bit sad. But anyway, he wanted to do something different, and that’s how things go.”
“We have incredibly talented people. It’s enjoyable to work with Pierre Waché. That’s how we move forward; we are still a strong team.”
Monaghan acknowledges that he was disappointed to see Newey leave Red Bull, as the team and the engineer had navigated several successful eras of Formula 1 together: “I suppose my primary reaction to Adrian’s departure is sadness.”
“He has contributed so much to the growth and evolution of the team and led us to the first championships, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013, with such vigor and commitment. It was always very enlightening when he had those little moments to see what he wanted to achieve and what he thought.”
“I hope I’ve been humble enough to learn from it. He’s a very active man. Our record speaks for itself, as we progressed through the early years of the hybrid era, and then obviously embraced the Honda engine.”
“In 2022, the cars were different, and the rules were different. He was never, whatever anyone says, cut off from the process. He was always as insightful with me, and overall very perceptive.”
“I had to show humility!”
When asked about the lessons he has learned from working with Newey, Monaghan concedes that collaborating with the British engineer sometimes prompted a need for introspection: “Yes, there have been many occasions. Often, I had to show humility!”
“We encountered some issues with the consistency of the car’s steering direction. We just couldn’t grasp it. There were thus indirect indications of what was happening. You could talk to him about it a bit.”
“Then we gradually evolved and started to think that we were beginning to understand something. We are evolving. We are learning. It was a collaborative process. His openness to ideas, thoughts, and considerations was always brilliant, no matter where the idea came from.”
“After some reflection, some investigations, and some questions, if he thought it was a good idea, we would move forward at the necessary pace, regardless of the extent of the change. If he thought it was a foolish idea, I usually realized quite quickly.”
A challenging championship sequel
Monaghan has called on the team to “pull together” in an attempt to retain its two F1 titles this season.
While Verstappen remains in the running for a fourth consecutive drivers’ title, leading Lando Norris by 78 points, Red Bull’s lead in the constructors’ standings has been reduced to 42 points ahead of McLaren.
“We expect it to be quite tough. I think the next 10 races will be quite tight. I know we will defend both championships with all our energy. Of course, we also rely on Max and Checo.”
“But they are committed to this team, as far as I am aware, as you see when you talk to them, and we need to stick together, stay united, and make the most of everything we have. We want to defend the championships.”
Monaghan claims he manages to focus on his job despite the rumors and scandals that have surrounded the team since the start of the year.
“When you’re here, on a track, yes. I don’t wish to be dismissive of it or anything of that sort. Once you’re immersed in this world for a race weekend, even outside of race weekends, you look at who we have to compete with and how close they are, it’s quite immersive.”
“Really, for me, because I don’t know how others feel, you are so focused on what you are doing that I wasn’t really following it or disturbed by it.”
- You may also like>Shovlin and Hamilton: Masters Behind the W15 Revival
- Following us on>Facebook and>Twitter
Newey Departs Red Bull Monaghan Expresses Sorrow Newey Departs Red Bull Monaghan Expresses Sorrow
