The sudden dismissal of Christian Horner by Red Bull Racing on Wednesday morning could have significant implications for the future of star driver Max Verstappen in Formula 1, as it may have been a long time coming. The parallels between the decline of the Roman Empire and Red Bull Racing’s current situation are clear, with internal division and external pressures contributing to the team’s struggles.
Christian Horner’s removal as team principal and CEO may have been a shock, but it reflects ongoing challenges Red Bull has faced since Dietrich Mateschitz’s passing. While Horner achieved remarkable success in his 20 years with the team, factors like losing key employees, his gamble on Red Bull Powertrains, and off-track issues have added to the team’s decline.
Red Bull’s recent slip to fourth place in the championships and being overtaken by McLaren indicate a troubling trend, though Horner has navigated challenges before. Despite surviving controversies and power struggles within the team, it appears that Horner’s support has waned, potentially due to the team’s heavy reliance on Verstappen.
The exceptional performance of Verstappen, who has been a standout in a challenging season for Red Bull, highlights his importance to the team. Without his contributions, the team would likely be faring even worse, as shown by his impressive results compared to his struggling teammates.
