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Verstappen admits Horner contact ‘difficult’ after Red Bull sacking
Four-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen finds it challenging to maintain the bond with Christian Horner over the phone since Horner’s departure from Red Bull last year. Following Horner’s exit, Red Bull’s performance improved significantly with Verstappen winning six of the last nine grands prix and narrowly missing out on a fifth consecutive title. Laurent Mekies took over as team principal at Red Bull, contributing to a more harmonious atmosphere until Helmut Marko’s retirement stirred up drama by commenting on Horner’s final years with the team. Verstappen reflected on his relationship with Horner, acknowledging the bond they had developed and the success they achieved together during the 2021 season in a recent interview. Despite rumors of a potential return to F1 and discussions with teams like Haas, recent reports suggest Horner is looking to secure a majority stake in Alpine with a consortium of investors. The Dutch publication De Telegraaf estimates Horner’s investment to be around €763 million, indicating a significant move in the Formula 1 landscape.
