Horner and Newey spotted together at Oasis concert, stirring F1 comeback buzz

Oct, 3 2025

When Christian Horner, former Team Principal of Red Bull Racing was seen walking side‑by‑side with Adrian Newey, the legendary aerodynamics guru also employed by Red Bull Racing at an Oasis concert in London, the paddock’s rumor mill went into overdrive. The show, held at the O2 Arena on September 14, 2025, was supposed to be a low‑key night out for the Brit‑rock band, but the unexpected duo turned it into headline news for anyone who follows Formula 1. Their public appearance appears to undercut months of speculation that the two had fallen out after a turbulent 2024 season.

Background: A partnership that powered a dynasty

From 2010 through 2022, Horner and Newey helped Red Bull Racing claim five drivers’ championships and four constructors’ crowns, reshaping the sport’s competitive order. Newey’s aerodynamic wizardry, paired with Horner’s shrewd management, turned the team’s modest budget into a powerhouse valued at roughly £1.6 billion in 2024. Yet behind the trophies lay a growing tension over strategic control, especially after the 2023 regulation overhaul that forced the team to re‑engineer its dominant RB‑19 chassis.

The Oasis concert sighting

The evening began like any other summer gig: thousands of fans packed the O2 Arena, the stage lights flashing to classic tracks like “Wonderwall.” Around 8:30 p.m., eyewitnesses reported seeing two men in dark jackets slipping through the backstage entrance. One of them was instantly recognizable as Horner – his trademark aviator sunglasses and a Red Bull cap gave him away – while the other was the unmistakable silhouette of Newey, known for his preference for plain tees and a well‑worn notebook.

“I thought they were just old mates grabbing a drink,” said Lucy Bennett, a longtime F1 journalist covering the event. “Then they both laughed at the same joke. It didn’t look like there was any frost between them.” The pair stayed for the entire set, even sharing a brief conversation near the stage’s side‑wall before disappearing into the crowd.

Lunch with a team boss and the comeback chatter

Just weeks earlier, on August 28, 2025, Horner was spotted having lunch with an anonymous F1 team boss at a restaurant near Silverstone. The meeting lasted about an hour, according to sources, and fueled fresh speculation that Horner might return to a senior role, possibly with a £1.6 billion‑valued outfit eager for his experience. The identity of the “team boss” remains a mystery, but insiders suggest it could be the newly appointed chief of Aston Martin Cognizant Formula 1 Team, which has been courting veteran leadership.

In an interview on the “Race Day” podcast, former driver Mika Hakkinen said, “If Horner is looking to get back into the sport, he’ll need a seat where his authority isn’t constantly challenged. The lunch suggests he’s still on the market, but the Oasis gig tells us he’s also mending fences, which could be a prerequisite for any new deal.”

Relationship dynamics: Fallout or friendly rivalry?

Rumors of a fallout began circulating after the 2024 season when Newey reportedly bypassed Horner in a series of technical meetings, opting instead to present concepts directly to Red Bull’s owner, Dietrich Mateschitz’s heirs. Horner allegedly felt sidelined, leading to “control concerns” that ultimately drove him to resign in early 2025. However, no official statement has ever confirmed a personal rift; most comments from both men have been deliberately vague.

“It’s hard to read between the lines when both parties are tight‑lipped,” noted Mike Krack, team principal of Alfa Romeo Racing. “Seeing them at the same social event suggests the ‘feud’ narrative may have been overstated by the media.” The Oasis appearance, therefore, acts as a visual rebuttal to the more sensational headlines that have lined the web for months.

What this means for Formula 1

From a strategic standpoint, a reconciled Horner‑Newey partnership could make Red Bull an even more formidable force should they reunite. The team is currently developing the RB‑24 under the new ground‑effect regulations, and Newey’s aerodynamic insights are already proving pivotal. If Horner were to return—perhaps in an advisory capacity—the synergy could accelerate the car’s performance curve.

Conversely, Horner’s potential move to another top‑tier outfit could shift the balance of power. A historic rival such as Mercedes AMG Petronas would instantly gain insider knowledge of Red Bull’s operational philosophy, while an emerging challenger like Haas F1 could benefit from his leadership chops.

Fans are already dividing into camps: one side cheering the possibility of a Horner‑Newey reunion, the other eager to see Horner inject fresh ideas elsewhere. The next few weeks—especially the pre‑season testing in Bahrain—will likely reveal whether the Oasis sighting was a genuine sign of healed relations or simply a friendly night out with no deeper implications.

Key Facts

• Christian Horner (former Red Bull Racing Team Principal) and Adrian Newey (Chief Technical Officer) were spotted together at the Oasis concert in London’s O2 Arena on September 14, 2025.
• The duo’s appearance contradicts earlier reports of a personal fallout after the 2024 season.
• Red Bull Racing is valued at roughly £1.6 billion and has won five drivers’ championships with Horner‑Newey at the helm.
• Horner was also seen having lunch with an undisclosed F1 team boss on August 28, 2025, fueling speculation about a possible comeback.
• Industry insiders suggest any renewed partnership could impact the competitive dynamics ahead of the 2025 season.