P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen has been labelled as the new team leader at Red Bull following the acrimonious departure of Christian Horner in 2025.
In 2025, Max Verstappen assumed the role of Red Bull’s new team leader after Christian Horner’s departure amidst public disagreements with the team’s parent company. The year was marked by turmoil, with key figures like Jonathan Wheatley and Adrian Newey leaving, causing instability within the team. Despite rumors of his potential departure, Verstappen publicly recommitted to Red Bull as the situation calmed down. With the new chapter at Red Bull underway post-Bahrain testing, Ralf Schumacher hailed Verstappen as the undisputed team leader, noting the positive impact of Ford’s collaboration in maintaining his position within the team. The calmer environment at Red Bull has enhanced Verstappen’s standing within the team, setting the stage for an intriguing title battle in 2026 with potential three-way competition.
