Horner buoyant ahead of season

Horner, the youngest team boss in the F1 paddock and GP2 team Arden owner, admitted his first season in Formula One was rather political, but proved a successful season for Red Bull Racing.

"It was certainly an interesting year, what with the Indianapolis [fiasco] and GPMA and other political battles," Horner said at the Autosport International Show. "But I think for Red Bull this was a fantastic debut season in F1.

"Within two races we bettered the score of (the team's predecessors) Jaguar Racing the year before. The team gelled together very well, and I was very pleased with the way it developed.

"For 2006, we're looking to develop on what we learned from last year. Things are looking very bright for the season ahead."

Horner added that hiring Newey was a 'straight forward' affair, with the Briton recognising the challenge in joining the new team, but the highly-regarded designer will only come into his element with the 2007 RB3 car.

"We're delighted to have him on board," Horner said. "It became obvious during the second half of 2005 that Adrian was looking for a new challenge.

"We met several times socially, but also he could see what Red Bull Racing can offer in terms of a challenge, so in the end it was a straight forward deal.

"As far as design, though, Adrian's main focus, down the road, will be the RB3, not the existing car," Horner added.