Christian Horner Dismisses Verstappen Family’s Role in Red Bull Exit

Christian Horner, the former team principal of Red Bull Racing, has stated that neither Max Verstappen nor his father, Jos Verstappen, were responsible for his departure from the team in 2025. This comes after a period of internal turmoil and speculation surrounding his exit.

Internal Disputes and Horner’s Departure

Horner left his roles as team principal and chief executive last summer following months of team decline and internal disputes as reported by BBC Sport. His departure followed a strained relationship with Jos Verstappen, which at times led the Dutch former racer to stay away from the Formula 1 paddock entirely. He also experienced a falling out with Red Bull racing advisor Helmut Marko, who has since also left the team.

Verstappen’s Perspective on Horner’s Management

Max Verstappen has been critical of Horner’s working methods, suggesting a lack of effective management within the team. In an interview with Viaplay, Verstappen hinted at recent mismanagement, stating that Horner did not consistently seek input from knowledgeable personnel or adequately motivate his staff. ESPN reports Verstappen said, “I think it’s good to bring in a bit of common sense and encourage people, and also inquire the right questions of the engineering team…”

Horner’s Account of the Exit

Despite the well-documented issues with Jos Verstappen, Horner maintains that the Verstappens were not involved in his dismissal. He attributes his exit to a decision made by Red Bull managing director Oliver Mintzlaff, with Helmut Marko acting as an advisor. Horner believes changes within the company, particularly following the death of Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022, led to a shift in power dynamics and ultimately his departure. He felt he was perceived as having too much control .

Laurent Mekies’ Arrival and Improved Atmosphere

Following Horner’s departure, Laurent Mekies was appointed to lead the team. Since taking control, there has been a reported improvement in the atmosphere at Red Bull .

Background on the Controversy

Horner’s exit was preceded by a controversial 18 months, beginning with allegations of sexual harassment made by a female employee in February 2024. He was cleared of these claims twice, first through an internal investigation and then by a subsequent appeal dismissal . He left Red Bull with a £52m payout, expressing a “real sense of loss.”