P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull has decided to impose an abrupt end to Christian Horner’s decorated – and on occasion contentious – two-decade reign leading the group’s F1 team in a change which appears designed to reduce the chance Max Verstappen leaves instead.
Red Bull has decided to implement a sudden end to Christian Horner’s illustrious, and sometimes controversial, leadership of the team’s Formula 1 division after his two-decade stewardship, a move seemingly aimed at preventing Max Verstappen from potentially departing.
The shocking dismissal of Horner coincides with reports of discussions between Verstappen’s team and Mercedes about a potential transfer, prompting uncertainty about the Dutch driver’s future.
Despite Verstappen indicating his preference to continue his career at Red Bull, he could not assure his presence beyond 2026, revealing a contrast to his stance on speculation about a move to Mercedes last year.
The ongoing rumors hint at Verstappen’s doubts regarding his commitment to Red Bull until 2028, with suggestions that his camp is leveraging external interest to prompt changes within the organization.
Internal tensions within Red Bull have escalated since 2024, including allegations against Horner and subsequent rifts with key figures like Jos Verstappen, leading to a recent power struggle and high-profile departures from the team.
The decline in Red Bull’s dominance on the track, coupled with internal challenges and Verstappen’s frustrations about technical issues, has marked a challenging period for the team in 2025, amid new competitive dynamics in Formula 1.
