P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Christian Horner axe criticised for causing ‘chaos’
Ralf Schumacher believes that the decision to not dismiss Christian Horner earlier caused chaos at Red Bull and hindered Max Verstappen’s title chances.
Horner, who led the team for two decades, was eventually replaced by Laurent Mekies, leading to a resurgence in Red Bull’s form.
Verstappen’s strong finish to the 2025 season, winning six of the last nine races, underlined the impact of the leadership change.
The departure of key figures like Horner, Marko, Wheatley, and Newey signals a new era at Red Bull, focused on retaining Verstappen.
Red Bull’s goal for 2026 is to establish themselves as a competitive force, supported by a renewed team spirit and Verstappen’s talent and leadership qualities.
