Newey: money no motivation for switch

"It's nothing to do with money," he told the Daily Express newspaper on Thursday. "My deal with Red Bull Racing provides identical money.

"The fact is, I had made up my mind to go even though I have really enjoyed my eight and a half years with McLaren and get on very well with everyone there.

"I will be sorry to leave but the easy option would have been to stay," added the 46-year-old.

The Guardian newspaper reported on Wednesday that Newey would be getting around $10 million a year at Red Bull, owned by Austrian energy drink billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz, after McLaren baulked at increasing his salary in contract renewal negotiations.

"There is more of a risk leaving McLaren for Red Bull, but I wanted to join a young team and be much more involved in how it grows," said the Briton.

Newey, who designed a string of Championship-winning cars with Williams and McLaren, will link up with British driver David Coulthard again at Red Bull after working with him at both Williams and McLaren.

He said the Scot had also influenced his decision.

"David is a very straightforward, honest guy and he felt that he had been rejuvenated at Red Bull," said Newey.

"I considered going off to build racing yachts but F1 is still a fantastic arena to be involved with and this offers a unique challenge."

Newey said Red Bull, seventh in the Constructors' Championship this year, could target the title in the long term.

"Red Bull are not in this just to make up the numbers and promote the brand," he declared.

"They have invested cleverly, they have Ferrari engines next year and the goal is to eventually win the World Championship. That is not going to happen in the next year or two, but it is the long-term view of the team and myself."