Red Bull Racing Announces Christian Horner’s Departure Amid Performance Struggles
Milton Keynes, UK – Red Bull Racing has confirmed the immediate exit of Team Principal Christian Horner, a decision that has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 community. Although the official reason for his departure remains unannounced, the tumultuous performance of the team during the 2025 F1 season has raised eyebrows, particularly with ongoing speculation about four-time World Champion Max Verstappen’s potential move to Mercedes.
Guenther Steiner, who worked alongside Horner during the team’s formative years, expressed surprise at the announcement. “It was completely out of the blue,” Steiner remarked on The Red Flags Podcast, highlighting the long-standing tensions at Red Bull, especially following last year’s controversies. “You could sense something was off at Red Bull, but the timing is very unexpected. Normally, such changes happen during the summer break.”
Steiner underscored the unusual timing of the decision, noting, "It’s very off because you’ve got only a few races before the summer break. Normally you’d wait to assess during a shutdown period.” This abrupt shift has prompted speculation regarding a possible disagreement within the team.
Sources also suggest that Verstappen may have influenced management’s decision, with Steiner asserting, “It would be odd for a driver to demand someone’s departure for them to stay. It’s never set as clear as this, and a driver of Max’s stature shouldn’t need to impose such conditions.”
Notably, the strained relationship between Horner and Verstappen’s father, Jos, has been publicly documented, creating an additional layer of complexity in team dynamics. Steiner speculated that management might have felt pressured to make a change to secure Verstappen’s future with the team.
Reflecting on his tenure, Steiner remarked, “Christian was an integral part of the team, and his success speaks for itself. It raises questions as to why this wasn’t resolved last year, given he had contributed so much.” As the summer break approaches, the F1 paddock remains on high alert for further developments regarding Red Bull’s leadership and potential implications for its star driver.
