Horner thought Newey was joking when he named Eddie Jordan as manager

Christian Horner says he initially thought Adrian Newey was joking when Newey told him to speak to his manager during a conversation about leaving Red Bull. When Horner asked who that was, Newey named Eddie Jordan. Horner recounted the exchange on the High Performance podcast.

Horner said he had received a call that Newey wanted to leave, although Newey was in an office across the corridor. Horner walked over to ask what was happening. He said he had known Jordan for years and joked that Jordan might send Newey off to play football.

Newey left Red Bull after 20 years for a new challenge at Aston Martin. Horner said he and Newey had worked together for almost 20 years, and described their bond as personal as well as professional: Newey was godfather to his daughter.

Horner said Newey's frustrations had been growing and that things could not stay the same forever. The two later met for dinner. Horner said he was sorry it ended that way but understood; he thought it had probably been too difficult for Newey to say everything at the time.