The Unexpected Exit of Christian Horner at Red Bull
The sudden dismissal of Christian Horner from his position as head of Red Bull Racing came as a shock to many, but not to everyone. Zak Brown, the CEO of McLaren Racing, was not entirely taken aback by the decision. While he did not anticipate the timing of the move, Brown believed that the outcome was inevitable given the ongoing issues within Red Bull.
Over the past year and a half, Horner had faced significant challenges. He was cleared twice by Red Bull after allegations of inappropriate behavior from a female employee, which led to public scrutiny and even comments from Max Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen. He warned that the team could “explode” if the situation wasn’t addressed. Despite this, Horner remained in his role, supported by the Thai side of Red Bull’s ownership.
Support kami, ada hadiah spesial untuk anda.
Klik di sini: https://indonesiacrowd.com/support-bonus/
However, the team’s performance began to decline, with Red Bull finishing fourth in the 2025 Constructors’ Championship after 12 rounds. This drop in dominance raised questions about whether the internal drama or the team’s performance was the main reason for Horner’s exit. Red Bull has yet to provide an official explanation for the decision.
Brown, known for his candid remarks, acknowledged that while the timing of the sacking was unexpected, the result was not. He noted that there had been a lot of off-track drama over the past few years, and it seemed to be escalating rather than calming down. “I’m not surprised, anytime in the middle of the season,” he said.
Following Horner’s departure, Laurent Mekies was appointed as the new CEO of Red Bull Racing, signaling the start of a rebuilding phase for the team. Although Red Bull’s chances of winning the Constructors’ title seem slim this year, with a 288-point gap to McLaren, Brown remains focused on the Drivers’ Championship.
Support us — there's a special gift for you.
Click here: https://indonesiacrowd.com/support-bonus/
He expressed confidence in Max Verstappen, despite the Dutchman falling 69 points behind Oscar Piastri, who leads the standings by eight points. “They’ve got Max still knocking on the door, so we’ve got to pay attention to that,” Brown stated. He also praised the team’s previous success, emphasizing their strong track record.
Rumors and Speculation Surrounding Horner’s Future
Horner’s exit has reignited speculation about his future in motorsport. Reports suggested he was linked with Alpine and Ferrari before his dismissal, but he denied these rumors. However, the media is already buzzing with new possibilities.
Zak Brown commented on the likelihood of Horner returning to the sport, saying, “I think given his age and his history in motor racing, I’d be surprised if he didn’t show up somewhere in motor racing.” He added that he was unsure of Horner’s other interests, such as running a football team, and said, “We’ll see.”
Some analysts believe that Horner’s sacking might have been a last-ditch effort by Red Bull to keep Verstappen at the team. There are rumors that Verstappen could trigger an exit clause in his contract if he falls outside the top four in the championship before the summer break. With Verstappen currently 46 points ahead of Charles Leclerc, the situation seems favorable for Red Bull.
When asked if he was following the Verstappen speculation closely, Brown responded, “Yeah. But couldn’t be happier with Oscar and Lando. So, sure to be the interested spectator. I’m very happy with my driver line-up. So, I don’t want to spend any time on other than what pops up on my phone.”
The Impact on Red Bull’s Future
With Horner gone and Mekies in charge, Red Bull faces a critical period. The team must now focus on regrouping and repositioning itself in the competitive world of Formula 1. While the Constructors’ title may be out of reach this year, the Drivers’ Championship remains a possibility.
Brown’s comments reflect a mix of concern and confidence. He acknowledges the challenges ahead but remains optimistic about his own team’s prospects. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on how Red Bull adapts to its new leadership and whether they can reclaim their former dominance.
