Max Verstappen sends Red Bull clear message over future of brains behind all conquering car

Max Verstappen has given a clear indication to his team Red Bull and boss Christian Horner that he wants Adrian Newey to stay.

Speaking before this weekend's Grand Prix in Japan, he said Newey's presence is a "massive boost" for the team. Newey, who designed seven championship-winning cars since joining Red Bull in 2006, could potentially be wooed away by a big money offer from Aston Martin. The team owner, Lawrence Stroll, clearly sees great potential in having the 65 year old design genius on board.

Despite signing a new contract with Red Bull last year, the prospect of another big project before retirement might lure Newey away. But Verstappen isn't keen to see him go. Speaking race at Suzuka circuit, Verstappen made it clear to Horner, team principal at Red Bull, that he wants Newey to remain a part of the team. He said: "We have a lot of people working on the car right, so it's a whole team effort that has to come together.

"Everyone's ideas get taken into account and you build the car that we have today, so yeah for sure, having someone part of the team like Adrian, I think it's a massive boost for everyone and many people work together to achieve the car we have today," reports the Mirror.

Verstappen has said goodbye to two close pals in recent months. Chief mechanic Lee Stevenson has left Red Bull and will be working with a new team at Suzuka this weekend, while personal trainer Bradley Scanes left at the end of last season.

The latter described what it was like to be part of the Verstappen inner circle. "For me it was beautiful - I really was part of the family," he said. I'd get invited to birthdays and stuff, if I was in Monaco I'd be round his or I'd go out for dinner with his manager, a beer with his dad.