Christian Horner, the former team principal of Red Bull Racing, has publicly dismissed claims that his dismissal from the team was influenced by the Verstappen family. Horner’s exit in late 2022 followed what many described as a tumultuous period marked by internal conflicts, particularly with Jos Verstappen, father of reigning world champion Max Verstappen.
In an interview featured in the upcoming season of the Netflix series Drive to Survive, set to premiere on February 27, 2023, Horner clarified his stance on the matter. “Jos has never been my biggest fan,” he stated in the documentary. “He’s been outspoken about me, but I don’t believe that the Verstappens were responsible in any way for my exit.”
Horner’s departure from Red Bull Racing, an organization he had led since its inception in 2005, marked a significant shift within the team. The change came amid an ongoing power struggle that intensified following the death of Red Bull’s founder, Dietrich Mateschitz, in 2022.
Behind the scenes, tensions had been brewing as Horner clashed with long-time Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko. This rift, combined with changes in the team’s ownership structure, contributed to an environment ripe for change. The Thai family, which owns a 51% stake in Red Bull, had maintained support for Horner, but the Austrian side of the business, controlled by Mateschitz’s son, Mark Mateschitz, reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with Horner’s level of control.
Reflecting on his abrupt exit, Horner said, “It was all rather sudden. I didn’t really get the chance to say a proper goodbye.” He suggested that the decision-making process was influenced by Oliver Mintzlaff, a senior executive at Red Bull, with Marko providing counsel from the sidelines.
Horner believes that the shift in the corporate landscape after Mateschitz’s passing played a crucial role in his departure. “I think ultimately things changed within the business, within the group,” he noted. “The founder died, and after Dietrich’s death, I think probably I was deemed to have maybe too much control.”
His exit signifies a broader change in Red Bull Racing’s direction, as the team navigates new leadership dynamics following a historic era under Horner’s guidance. As the 2023 season approaches, all eyes will be on how Red Bull adapts to these significant changes within its management structure.
