Red Bull’s shocking dismissal of team principal Christian Horner on Wednesday has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 paddock. The move comes as no surprise, given the team’s struggles on track and internal divisions. Horner’s departure marks an unprecedented moment in the team’s story, with all 124 of its race wins, six constructors’ and eight drivers’ championships coming under his stewardship since 2005.
Horner built a Formula 1 powerhouse, but his position had long felt like a ticking time bomb. The team’s increasing struggles, coupled with tensions behind the scenes, have pushed Red Bull to make a clean break and hit the reset button. Horner survived a personal scandal in 2024, which cast a shadow over the team, but internal rifts alone were not enough to dislodge him.
Sources suggest that Max Verstappen, the four-time world champion, was the driving force behind Horner’s dismissal. Verstappen has long been coy about Horner’s position, but recently, he has faced increasing pressure to leave the team due to its diminishing success on track. Verstappen has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave the team if he is lower than third in the drivers’ championship after the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Horner’s departure also marks a significant shift in Red Bull’s strategy. The team will debut its own engine, built in conjunction with Ford, in 2026. This move aims to give Verstappen an opportunity to add to his tally and could be a key factor in convincing him to stay with the team. With Horner’s removal, the pitch for keeping Verstappen around until the end of his contract becomes significantly easier.
As Horner’s future becomes increasingly uncertain, speculation about potential landing spots is already rife. A close relationship between Horner and Ferrari chairman John Elkann has fueled speculation, while Alpine executive Flavio Briatore could also be a contender.
Source: https://www.espn.com/racing/f1/story/_/id/45702664/is-dismissing-christian-horner-red-bull-gamble-keep-f1-champion-max-verstappen