P1racenews AI automatic summary:
McLaren CEO Zak Brown believes Christian Horner was bound to see the exit door with Red Bull’s F1 situation “getting worse” in the last couple of years.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown believes Christian Horner was inevitably going to depart from Red Bull due to the team’s deteriorating Formula 1 performance in recent years. Horner, a key figure in Red Bull’s championship wins since 2005, was replaced by Laurent Mekies amid internal tensions and declining results. The decision to let Horner go was influenced by the shifting dynamics within Red Bull, including the Yoovidhya family’s decision to relinquish their majority stake. Brown, a rival of Horner, anticipated the timing of his dismissal due to the ongoing drama and lack of resolution within the team. Horner’s next move post-Red Bull remains uncertain, with speculation linking him to Ferrari or Alpine, but Brown believes he will likely remain in motor racing. As McLaren focuses on securing both F1 titles this season, Brown acknowledges the challenge posed by Max Verstappen and prioritizes their championship pursuit over Horner’s future endeavors.
