Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen has opened up about the ousting of his former team principal and CEO, Christian Horner. Red Bull announced Horner’s exit with immediate effect on Wednesday, ending an association of 20 years that began in 2005.
Verstappen came under Horner’s wing in 2016 after being promoted from the Red Bull junior F1 team.
The Dutch driver secured his maiden title under Horner’s leadership in 2021 and enjoyed Red Bull’s dominance since then until last year, winning four drivers’ titles.
Last weekend’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone marked Horner’s last race with his team and Verstappen. Following Red Bull’s announcement about its decision to part ways with Horner, Verstappen has reacted to the news through a post on X. He wrote:
“From my first race win, to four world championships, we have shared incredible successes. Winning memorable races and breaking countless records. Thank you for everything, Christian!”
From my first race win, to four world championships, we have shared incredible successes. Winning memorable races and breaking countless records. Thank you for everything, Christian! pic.twitter.com/au4XjMqhlH
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) July 9, 2025
Horner bid a final goodbye to his team at Milton Keynes, reportedly breaking down as he made his speech. Newsweek Sports reported comments made by Sky Sports F1’s David Croft from Red Bull’s factory. He said:
“From those that we’ve managed to speak to, it is a unified sense of disappointment and sadness at a man that they see has unified their team, who was never afraid to sit and have a chat to various people no matter what they did for the organization.
“The speech that Christian Horner gave this morning to the factory we understand was hugely emotional and Christian himself was very emotional, and broke down on occasion.
“He received a massive ovation at the end of that speech from a workforce that are very loyal to him, because he has helped bring success, bonuses, and world championship glory in terms of 14 world titles during his time as team principal.
“He drove out this morning at 11:25 AM. He looked fairly impassive, just staring ahead in his car. There was no thumbs up, there were no waves. He drove out of the gates here for what now seems to be the final time.”
Horner has been replaced by Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies. The team’s sporting director, Alan Permane, has been promoted to replace Mekies. Red Bull managing director Oliver Mintzlaff issued a statement announcing Horner’s departure. It read:
“We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years.
“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.”
The post Max Verstappen Breaks Silence After Christian Horner Sacking appeared first on Newsweek.
