WHY MAX VERSTAPPEN DIDN'T SPEAK TO CRISTIAN HORNER AT THE BRITISH GRAND PRIX

Max Verstappen speaks "weekly" with former boss Christian Horner, but the pair did not meet ahead of the British Grand Prix

Verstappen and Horner had their differences at Red Bull

Max Verstappen has revealed why he didn't speak with Christian Horner ahead of the British Grand Prix, despite the former Red Bull boss making his long-awaited return to the Formula 1 paddock.

The four-time champion has previously spoken of his continued relationship with his former boss since Horner was relieved of his duties at Red Bull one year ago, but this did not extend to a meeting at Silverstone this weekend. 

However, this was not due to any underlying or underplayed animosity between the pair, but was more an issue of timing across what is always a busy weekend. 

Asked if he had spoken to Horner on Sunday, Verstappen said: “I speak to Christian almost every week. I saw him on the camera walking around, but I haven't had time to meet anyone, to be honest. It’s just been busy.”

Asked if he was willing to share what the pair discuss in their weekly chats, and if it was just 'normal stuff', Verstappen added: “Yeah. Like you do with your friends, or people that you've known for a long time.”

One year on from Horner's removal, and Verstappen appears to be at his lowest point with Red Bull, as he labelled the rear wing of his car "super-dangerous" following a second crash in as many weeks. 

Horner's successor as Red Bull team principal, Laurent Mekies, has vowed to "leave no stone unturned" in searching for the root issue with the wing, and Verstappen said of the initial debrief of his crash: “He came straight into my room, of course, to discuss the problems that we had in the race, to let me know what happened out there, so yeah. But that's normal, we always do that.”

Dismissing this as nothing other than a normal post-race procedure, however, he added: “But we always do that, good or bad.”

- Sam Hall

HELMUT MARKO: THE DEVISIVE CHARACTER WHO HELPED RED BULL TO BECOME MODERN F1 POWERHOUSE

Helmut Marko will step down from his role with Red Bull

At the end of two decades at Red Bull, possibly the most divisive character in modern Formula 1 in Helmut Marko, can be credited with a huge role in the team’s success.

While Marko has grabbed headlines with sharp-edged comments, his influence surrounding the young driver programme at Red Bull can and should not be understated.

In his two decade spell in association with Red Bull, Marko has overseen the development of 20 drivers into F1, including the most successful in Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel.

With Vettel and Verstappen at the helm, Red Bull won eight Drivers’ titles and six Constructors’ Championships between 2010 and 2024, along with over 100 race victories.

Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull’s CEO of Corporate Projects and Investments, branded the outgoing Marko “an engine of innovation, and a cornerstone of international motorsport”.

“His instinct for exceptional talent not only shaped our junior program but also left a lasting impact on Formula 1 as a whole. Names like Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen stand for the many drivers who were discovered, supported, and guided to the very top under his leadership. His passion, his courage to make clear decisions, and his ability to spot potential will remain unforgettable.”

Aside from the title winners, Marko has also unearthed plenty more talented drivers who have had healthy stints in F1, with seven of the 20 drivers on the grid in 2025 having advanced through the Red Bull junior programme. And as F1 and Red Bull enter an exciting new era, Marko’s eye for talent could see the Red Bull family on the front foot in 2026.

Helmut Marko unearthed Isack Hadjar, who will race with Red Bull in 2026

Red Bull’s new era

Isack Hadjar, who steps up to the senior team for 2026, and Arvid Lindblad for Racing Bulls, will be the last two drivers to emerge from Red Bull’s talent pool under the control of Marko.

Hadjar’s exciting debut F1 season, which saw him become the youngest French driver to stand on the podium, alongside Lindblad’s promising Formula 2 campaign, sees Red Bull in a good position to enter F1’s new era in 2026.

Alongside a new engine partnership with the Ford Motor Company under the helm of new Team Principal Laurent Mekies, 2026 will be the first season for Red Bull without its cornerstone team members.

Marko marks the last figurehead of the original Red Bull F1 project to depart the Milton-Keynes squad and the end of a significant era of success for team.

After the departures of Johnathan Wheatley, Adrian Newey and most notably long time Team Principal Christian Horner it felt like a matter of time before Dr Marko would step away and allow Red Bull to enter its new evolution under the steady hand of Mekies.

While Marko has been a huge influence in Red Bull’s success in regards to his ability to spot talent early, his departure seems timely as the Red Bull brand looks to the future under a completely new leadership structure.

This alongside a list of controversies sees it unsurprising that Red Bull keen to enter its new era without such a divisive figure at the forefront of its future.

Helmut Marko was a divisive character in the paddock

Not without controversies

After the death of Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022, someone with whom Marko had a close relationship, and significantly, the departure of Red Bull’s two-decade-long team boss Christian Horner midway through 2025, Marko’s position within the team has become increasingly untenable.

Away from his tremendous success regarding the young driver programme, Marko has had a tumultuous history of stirring the pot and saying the wrong things.

The Austrian has clashed with Red Bull’s new management style on multiple occasions since the team’s change in direction including derogatory statements made regarding then Red Bull driver Sergio Perez in late 2023.

Marko had blamed Perez’s fluctuations in form on the track on the Mexican driver’s ethnicity claiming ” he is South American and he is just not as completely focused in his head as Max is or as Sebastian.”

More comments aimed towards Andrea Kimi Antonelli after this season’s Qatar Grand Prix, where Marko claimed the Italian had “waved Norris past” on the penultimate lap in Doha, saw the Italian receive thousands of messages of abuse for an honest on-track mistake.

This alongside a failed attempt to oust Marko in early 2024 has soured the atmosphere within the Red Bull family and dampened spirits despite the team’s great successes and dominant recent seasons.

While F1 will remember Marko for his success in cultivating Red Bull’s driver talent, a string of controversies will always linger on a somewhat tarnished legacy.

- Daniel Harris

CHRISTIAN HORNER FINALIZES DEPARTURE FROM RED BULL RACING F1 TEAM

Christian Horner led Red Bull to eight world drivers' titles and six world constructors' titles in Formula 1.

AFP

Christian Horner and Red Bull say they have finalized the process of Horner leaving the team he led to eight Formula 1 drivers' titles, two months after he was removed as team principal. The team issued a statement saying that Horner would leave Monday, without giving details of any agreement. “Leading Red Bull Racing has been an honor and privilege," Horner said in the statement. “When we started in 2005, none of us could have imagined the journey ahead — the championships, the races, the people, the memories.”

Horner had been away from the F1 paddock since July, when the Red Bull parent company said it had “released Christian Horner from his operational duties with immediate effect” and appointed Laurent Mekies in his place.

The Red Bull company's chief executive for corporate projects and investments, Oliver Mintzlaff, thanked Horner on Monday for “his exceptional work over the last 20 years.”

Horner had been Red Bull team principal since it entered F1 as a full constructor in 2005.

His last race in charge of the team was the British Grand Prix, in a season in which the team had struggled to keep up with F1's leading team McLaren. A series of high-profile executives had also left the team over the previous year and a half, including car design great Adrian Newey.

Since Horner was removed, Max Verstappen has won two of Red Bull's five Grands Prix under Mekies, including Sunday's Azerbaijan Grand Prix, as well as a sprint race.

Last year, Horner was accused of misconduct toward a team employee.

An investigation conducted on behalf of the Red Bull company dismissed the allegation, as did a further investigation conducted after the employee appealed against the initial ruling, Red Bull said at the time.

Horner remained in charge of the F1 team throughout the entire process.

- Associated Press 

MEKIES REVEALS SHOCK CALL THAT MADE HIM RED BULL TEAM BOSS

 

XPB

Laurent Mekies has revealed the exact moment he was informed he would replace Christian Horner as team principal and CEO of Red Bull Racing – describing it as a bolt from the blue that he had to "quickly digest" before embracing the challenge.

Red Bull stunned the Formula 1 paddock earlier this month when the energy drink company announced that Horner, who had led Red Bull Racing since its inception in 2005, was stepping down with immediate effect and replaced by Mekies, previously in charge of sister outfit Racing Bulls.

Speaking to F1.com ahead of his first race weekend in charge at Spa-Francorchamps, the Frenchman described the whirlwind moment when Red Bull GmbH managing director Oliver Mintzlaff and motorsport advisor Helmut Marko delivered the news.

"Obviously, it came out of the blue, as [it did] for you guys, so mine was probably quite similar to you," Mekies said.

"I received a call a few hours before everyone was made aware. And it was from Oliver and Helmut, and it took me by surprise.

"Initially, I asked them if you have to think about it and then you quickly realise... then try to digest and then you say, well, wait a second, it's Red Bull calling you to step in that role. How can it be anything else than an honour and a privilege?

“So, you get that Red Bull energy feeling there, and that's how it happened. Obviously, I called them back, and the rest is history."

From Shock to Strategy: Mekies Outlines His First Moves

While the appointment came with little time for preparation, Mekies quickly focused his attention on building relationships inside the team and understanding the internal dynamics of one of F1’s most successful operations.

"I think the biggest element was then how do you get into it. The first thing that pops into your mind is, you need to meet the people and that was really what was in my mind,” he explained

"How do you now use the time? To meet these incredible people, to meet the teams, to start to get to know each other, to start to interact, to understand the strengths, to understand the dynamics, to understand all of that."

He acknowledged the early days are still part of a long learning curve.

"And it's been only two weeks, and you are nowhere near where you want to be, but it's a completely different feeling once you start that process and you get to know more people every day, so it makes it quite an incredible journey."

Mekies now faces the immense task of leading Red Bull into its post-Horner era, with the team's on-track form under scrutiny and star driver Max Verstappen closely watching developments.

But for the 48-year-old engineer, the sudden opportunity is one he now fully embraces – with Red Bull’s signature energy already carrying him into a new chapter.

- Phillip van Osten

'A LOT OF DRAMA': MCLAREN BOSS ZAK BROWN WEIGHS IN ON CHRISTIAN HORNER'S RED BULL DISMISSAL

Imago

McLaren Racing chief Zak Brown said he was unsurprised by the dismissal of Red Bull boss Christian Horner, but the timing was a little unusual.

Red Bull did not give a reason for the decision, but thanked Horner for his work and said he will "forever remain an important part of our team history."

Laurent Mekies of sister team Racing Bulls replaced Horner in his role as team principal and chief executive of the Red Bull team.

Horner had been Red Bull team principal since it entered F1 as a full constructor in 2005. He had performed his team and media duties as normal throughout the British Grand Prix last week.

Brown, who has an extensive rivalry with Horner and Red Bull, said he was not taken aback by the decision to let Horner go, but did wonder about the timing.

Left to right: Christian Horner, Helmut Marko and Max Verstappen. Getty

"Maybe the timing but not the result," Brown said when asked if he was shocked by the news.

"There has been a lot of drama there over the last couple of years, so it doesn't seem like that drama has been calming down -- maybe it's been getting worse.

"So, I'm not surprised, any time in the middle of the season. But we're head down on our championship.

"They've got Max [Verstappen] still knocking on the door, so we've got to pay attention to that. But, yeah, tremendous amount of success they've had."

Horner is the latest in a series of high-profile executives to leave the team over the last year and a half. Car design great Adrian Newey joined Aston Martin and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley departed for Sauber, which is soon to become the Audi works team. All of these changes have followed the 2022 death of Dietrich Mateschitz, the billionaire co-founder of Red Bull who created its F1 project.

The announcement also comes more than a year after Horner was accused of misconduct toward a team employee.

An investigation conducted on behalf of the Red Bull company dismissed the allegation, as did a further investigation conducted after the employee appealed against the initial ruling, Red Bull said at the time.

Horner remained in charge of the F1 team throughout the entire process.

Horner oversaw eight F1 drivers' titles — four for Sebastian Vettel and four for Verstappen — and six constructors' titles during his time with the team.

But McLaren has dominated this season in F1, while Red Bull's performance has dipped, though defending champion Verstappen remains third in the standings and the team is fourth.

As for Horner, Brown believes the former Red Bull boss will land on his feet.

"Given his age and his history in motor racing, I'd be surprised if he didn't show up somewhere in motor racing," Brown added.

"But I don't know his other interests, whether he wants to go run a football team or what have you. So, we'll see."

-  Sacha Mirzabegian, with AP

CHRISTIAN HORNER SACKED BY RED BULL, LAURENT MEKIES NAMED NEW CEO

Christian Horner has been relieved of his duties by Red Bull, according to reports

Christian Horner has been sacked as Team Principal of the Red Bull Formula 1 team after 20 years in the job.

F1 reporter Erik van Haren from Holland’s De Telegraf has posted on his X account that the 51-year-old is to be removed from his post, and the staff at the team’s Milton Keynes based have been informed.

The bomb has dropped at Red Bull Racing,” van Haren wrote. “Team boss and CEO Christian Horner has been sacked after more than 20 years.”

Red Bull has now confirmed the move, staying that Horner was “released from his operational duties with effect from today”.

Laurent Mekies, Team Principal of Red Bull’s statellite outfit Racing Bulls, will take Horner’s place as Team Principal and CEO.

Alan Permane, who was Racing Director at the Faenza-based squad, takes over as Racing Bulls boss.

“We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years,” said Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull’s CEO of Corporate Projects and Investments.

“With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking, he has been instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful and attractive teams in Formula 1.

“Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history.”

Horner has been the subject of numerous reports in recent months regarding his future and authority within the team.

After allegations were made about his private life, Horner was said to have come under pressure from certain circles around the team, including lead driver Max Verstappen’s father Jos.

In a communication released by Racing Bulls, new boss Mekies has said: “The last year and a half has been an absolute privilege to lead the team with Peter [Bayer].

“It has been an amazing adventure to contribute to the birth of Racing Bulls together with all our talented people.

“The spirit of the whole team is incredible, and I strongly believe that this is just the beginning.

“Alan is the perfect man to take over now and continue our path. He knows the team inside out and has always been an important pillar of our early success.”

Permane added his own sentiments, saying: “I feel very honoured to take on the role as Team Principal and would like to thank Oliver and Helmut for the trusrt they have shown in me.

“I am looking forward to working with Peter to cotinue the good work that both him and Laurent have done in taking this team forward.

“This is a new challenge for me, but I know that I can count on the support of everyone within them.”

- Jack Oliver Smith

SPORTING DIRECTOR LAURENT MEKIE LEAVING FERRARI