Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula 1 champion, has delivered a sharp rebuke to a provocative query regarding the future of Red Bull Racing in the wake of Christian Horner’s controversial exit as team principal. Dubbed a “weird” question, Verstappen dismissed any speculation that the team might be better off under Horner’s leadership as opposed to the newly appointed Laurent Mekies.
In a dramatic turn of events following the British Grand Prix in July, Red Bull found itself in disarray. Trailing McLaren by a staggering 288 points in the constructors’ championship after just 12 races, the team’s prospects looked grim. The beleaguered Verstappen, once the frontrunner, saw his own championship hopes dwindle to a disheartening 79 points behind the leaders.
The descent began mid-2024, as performance issues plagued the team, compounded by a series of high-profile departures and a damaging sexual misconduct scandal that sent shockwaves through the Red Bull hierarchy. Adrian Newey, the team’s legendary designer, left for Aston Martin, citing the turmoil as a significant factor in his departure after 18 years with the team. His wife’s social media posts hinted at internal strife, raising eyebrows about the team’s stability.
After two decades of steering the ship, Horner was finally ousted, a decision that reflected the intense pressure mounting on the British motorsport executive. His tenure had seen Red Bull capture eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships, but the recent turmoil was too much for ownership to tolerate.
Mekies, who joined Red Bull at the beginning of the season, quickly ascended to the top role. Since his promotion, the team has shown signs of resurgence, with Verstappen clinching three pole positions, three race wins, and seven podium finishes, including two sprint victories in Belgium and the USA. This resurgence momentarily rekindled hopes for a championship challenge, especially after a strong performance in the Dutch Grand Prix.
However, when pressed about the hypothetical scenario of Horner’s continued leadership and its impact on the championship race, Verstappen was quick to shut down the inquiry. “I find it a really weird question,” he stated firmly at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. “I don’t know why that would be suddenly now… That we closed 49 points like that? I don’t know. You can fill it in yourself. I think we’ve done a very good job the last few races. What else can I say? We try everything that we can. The car has been good at some places, maybe not so good at others. But that’s it.”
Adding to the intrigue, Horner’s departure was not merely about performance on the track. It was entangled in a recent lawsuit alleging inappropriate behavior towards a former Red Bull employee. Despite being cleared twice through an internal review, the pressure mounted until the employee sought recourse through a British tribunal. Ultimately, an out-of-court settlement reportedly worth millions was reached, putting an end to the months-long legal saga.
Now, with the dust settling, Horner’s time at Red Bull is officially over, though rumors of his potential return to the sport in 2026 are swirling. Speculation is rife that he might pursue roles such as team co-ownership or even a position with Ferrari.
As the F1 circus moves on, one thing is clear: Verstappen and Red Bull are determined to rise from the ashes of scandal and mismanagement. The championship battle may be far from over, but the team is ready to fight back.
