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Red Bull’s explosive civil war: how Horner’s downfall sparked F1’s greatest comeback of 2025

James Taylor by James Taylor
December 15, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Red Bull’s explosive civil war: how Horner’s downfall sparked F1’s greatest comeback of 2025

Formula One F1 - Monaco Grand Prix - Circuit de Monaco, Monaco - May 24, 2025 Red Bull team principal Christian Horner with Red Bull's Max Verstappen during practice REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw

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Title: The Shocking Downfall of Christian Horner: Inside Red Bull’s Turbulent 2025 Season

In a jaw-dropping twist that has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 community, Christian Horner’s abrupt dismissal from Red Bull Racing in July marked the beginning of a resurgence that few could have predicted. Once mired in controversy and a dismal performance, the team underwent a miraculous transformation, racking up an impressive 279 points in the second half of the season under new leadership. This staggering turnaround nearly propelled Max Verstappen to a stunning championship comeback, falling just two points short of the newly crowned champion Lando Norris after the climactic Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Horner’s ousting was not just a mere shake-up; it was a seismic shift in the team’s dynamics, one that had been brewing for far too long. Helmut Marko, the team’s advisor and a pivotal figure in this drama, openly lamented the timing of Horner’s removal. “We had to do something because our on-track performance was lagging. Had we done that sooner, by the way, we would have gotten things back on track faster this year, and Max would have become world champion,” Marko stated candidly in an interview.

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The downward spiral of Red Bull commenced with the collapse of their dominance at the outset of the 2024 season, coinciding with escalating allegations against Horner, which he vehemently denied but which nevertheless clouded the team’s reputation. These allegations, perceived as part of a strategic smear campaign, cast a long shadow over the organization, affecting not only Horner’s professional life but also his personal one, putting strain on his marriage to Geri Horner-Halliwell.

As tensions mounted within the team, Verstappen’s relationship with Horner became increasingly strained, with whispers of discontent echoing through the paddock. The power struggle intensified following the death of Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022, as Horner allegedly sought to solidify his grip on the team with the backing of majority shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya. However, Marko, feeling cornered, vocally opposed Horner’s maneuvers, leading to a fractious environment ripe for conflict.

The chaos reached a boiling point when Marko found himself embroiled in controversy for his remarks about Sergio Perez, which were widely criticized and later blamed on ‘dirty tricks’ orchestrated by Horner’s camp. “Those last years with Horner weren’t pleasant. Dirty tricks were played,” Marko asserted, insisting that fabricated statements had been used against him to undermine his credibility.

The culmination of these internal battles led to Horner’s dramatic exit, which many now view as a long-overdue decision. The aftermath revealed a team that had suffered tremendously from the indecisiveness of keeping Horner in charge for an extra year, as talent, including renowned designer Adrian Newey, fled the organization amidst the turmoil.

While the intra-team rivalry between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri has dominated headlines in 2025, the real story lies within the walls of Red Bull—an epic saga of betrayal, ambition, and ultimately, survival. With Horner out of the picture, Red Bull was poised for a new chapter, but at what cost? Would Verstappen have clinched the title had the team acted sooner? The answer may remain shrouded in speculation, but one thing is clear: Red Bull’s road to redemption is paved with the ashes of its tumultuous past, and the scars from this bitter battle will linger for years to come.

Tags: 1958-formula-1-season2025-formula-1-world-championshipChristian HornerLando Norrismax-verstappen-enoracle-red-bull-racing
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