logo
‘Embarrassing' Christian Horner bomb explodes on Red Bull

‘Embarrassing' Christian Horner bomb explodes on Red Bull

News.com.au6 days ago
Things could be set to go from bad to even worse for Red Bull in the wake of Christian Horner's axing.
Horner was sensationally axed from the team in early July after he had spent 20 years with the team.
Red Bull's on track struggles have seen the usual powerhouse drop to fourth in the 2025 constructors' standings, behind McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes.
But their pain could get even worse next season when rule changes to Formula 1 engines come into play.
From 2026 onwards engines must have 50 per cent electrification, fully sustainable fuels and active aerodynamics.
Now a Horner truth bomb could come back to bite the team.
Red Bull's long-running engine partnership with Honda is set to end this season with the team moving to producing its own engines, working in collaboration with Ford.
Horner however warned the move would prove to be the biggest challenge the team has faced since it entered the world of Formula 1.
Speaking to media ahead of the British Grand Prix, Horner conceded that it would be 'embarrassing' for Mercedes or 'any manufacturer' if RBPT-Ford produced a better engine in 2026.
In an interview with PlanetF1 last year, the former Red Bull boss admitted it's highly unlikely the team will be able to compete with both Ferrari and Mercedes.
'The mountain that we have to climb is immense, but, with the right spirit, and the right quality people that we have within the business, it will be achievable.
'It's by far the biggest challenge that we've taken on in Formula 1.'
To make matters even worse for Red Bull, Honda have shut the door on any potential reunion if the project with Ford fails.
'That is not possible at all,' Honda Racing Corporation president Koji Watanabe said to Auto Sport Web.
'Even if we were asked to do it now, it would be too late to make it in time for 2026.
'The chances are zero.'
If potential engine struggles weren't enough, Red Bull could be without four-time champion Max Verstappen.
Rumours have been swirling for weeks that Verstappen is eyeing off a bombshell move to join Mercedes from 2026 onwards.
Despite being contracted until the end of 2028, it was reported that Ola Kallenius, Mercedes' chief executive, had given his tick of approval for the team to sign Verstappen.
Mercedes are being tipped as the early frontrunner for when the new regulations come into play next season which could also be one of the reasons behind a potential Verstappen switch.
It's believed Verstappen's contract with Red Bull contains a clause that could allow him to walk free at the end of the season.
The exit clause can reportedly be activated if Verstappen is lower than fourth in the Drivers' Championship after the Hungarian Grand Prix on August 3, according to Planet F1.
Verstappen is currently third on the drivers' standings with 165 points, George Russell sits in fourth on 147 points.
With two races set to take place before the summer break, all eyes will be on the standings and where Verstappen sits.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Belgian Grand Prix LIVE: Piastri starts second on grid behind teammate Norris
Belgian Grand Prix LIVE: Piastri starts second on grid behind teammate Norris

Sydney Morning Herald

time4 hours ago

  • Sydney Morning Herald

Belgian Grand Prix LIVE: Piastri starts second on grid behind teammate Norris

Latest posts Latest posts 10.18pm Where did Horner go? All the off-season shenanigans explained Hannah Kennelly The Belgian Grand Prix begins the second half of the F1 season, however the bigest moments so far have arguably come from the off-season. In case you've been living under a rock, Red Bull abruptly fired their long-term team principal Christian Horner after a 20-year stint that included eight Formula 1 drivers' titles, six constructors' titles, and 124 race wins. 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'. The announcement comes more than a year after Horner was accused of misconduct toward a team employee. So what actually happened? The announcement follows a period of tense internal politics within Red Bull as well as a lacklustre performance on track during the 2025 season. Read more here. Will Max Verstappen go to Mercedes? If you weren't swept up in the Horner saga, it's likely you've been occupied by the rumour-mill concerning Max Verstappen and a potential move to Mercedes. Loading Verstappen currently sits in third place in the driver's championship, and while the Dutchman's talent and drive to win remains unquestionable, it's clear that McLaren have the better car and pace. Mercedes driver George Russell's contract expires this year and a contract renewal has not been announced. This potentially opens the door for Verstappen to switch teams. That speculation hit a fever pitch when news broke Verstappen and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff happened to be in the Italian island of Sardinia at the same time a few weeks ago. So far, no announcements have been made, but a typically wry Verstappen has remained tight-lipped during press conferences. He batted away journalists persistent questions around a Mercedes move and quipped,'There is also a possibility I don't wake up tomorrow!' he said. 'So then, there is no driving at all. Life is unpredictable.' 10.08pm What happened in Qualifying By Hannah Kennelly Nine points. That's all that separates Oscar Piastri (241) from his teammate Lando Norris (232) in the driver's championship standings. During Saturday's qualifying session, Norris pipped Piastri to pole position with a time of 1:40.562, beating the Aussie by 0.085 – less than a tenth of a second. 'The second lap was coming together really well and I just made a little mistake in (turn) 14. It is fine margins out there,' Piastri said after qualifying. 'Not a bad place to be starting, but there was more in it so that is disappointing.' Ferrari's Charles Leclerc will start from third and Red Bull champion Max Verstappen sits in fourth for Red Bull. McLaren's pace has been the talk of the season, but Verstappen has shown no signs of giving up his quest for a fifth consecutive championship. The Dutchman started second during the Spa Sprint race and manoeuvred past Piastri to win the race – his first victory since Imola. In a post-race interview, Verstappen described his race strategy as like 'playing cat and mouse'. The Red Bull star sits in third place in the driver's championship with 173 points.

Belgian Grand Prix LIVE: Piastri starts second on grid behind teammate Norris
Belgian Grand Prix LIVE: Piastri starts second on grid behind teammate Norris

The Age

time4 hours ago

  • The Age

Belgian Grand Prix LIVE: Piastri starts second on grid behind teammate Norris

Latest posts Latest posts 10.18pm Where did Horner go? All the off-season shenanigans explained Hannah Kennelly The Belgian Grand Prix begins the second half of the F1 season, however the bigest moments so far have arguably come from the off-season. In case you've been living under a rock, Red Bull abruptly fired their long-term team principal Christian Horner after a 20-year stint that included eight Formula 1 drivers' titles, six constructors' titles, and 124 race wins. 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'. The announcement comes more than a year after Horner was accused of misconduct toward a team employee. So what actually happened? The announcement follows a period of tense internal politics within Red Bull as well as a lacklustre performance on track during the 2025 season. Read more here. Will Max Verstappen go to Mercedes? If you weren't swept up in the Horner saga, it's likely you've been occupied by the rumour-mill concerning Max Verstappen and a potential move to Mercedes. Loading Verstappen currently sits in third place in the driver's championship, and while the Dutchman's talent and drive to win remains unquestionable, it's clear that McLaren have the better car and pace. Mercedes driver George Russell's contract expires this year and a contract renewal has not been announced. This potentially opens the door for Verstappen to switch teams. That speculation hit a fever pitch when news broke Verstappen and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff happened to be in the Italian island of Sardinia at the same time a few weeks ago. So far, no announcements have been made, but a typically wry Verstappen has remained tight-lipped during press conferences. He batted away journalists persistent questions around a Mercedes move and quipped,'There is also a possibility I don't wake up tomorrow!' he said. 'So then, there is no driving at all. Life is unpredictable.' 10.08pm What happened in Qualifying By Hannah Kennelly Nine points. That's all that separates Oscar Piastri (241) from his teammate Lando Norris (232) in the driver's championship standings. During Saturday's qualifying session, Norris pipped Piastri to pole position with a time of 1:40.562, beating the Aussie by 0.085 – less than a tenth of a second. 'The second lap was coming together really well and I just made a little mistake in (turn) 14. It is fine margins out there,' Piastri said after qualifying. 'Not a bad place to be starting, but there was more in it so that is disappointing.' Ferrari's Charles Leclerc will start from third and Red Bull champion Max Verstappen sits in fourth for Red Bull. McLaren's pace has been the talk of the season, but Verstappen has shown no signs of giving up his quest for a fifth consecutive championship. The Dutchman started second during the Spa Sprint race and manoeuvred past Piastri to win the race – his first victory since Imola. In a post-race interview, Verstappen described his race strategy as like 'playing cat and mouse'. The Red Bull star sits in third place in the driver's championship with 173 points.

Belgian Grand Prix live updates: McLaren issue team orders for race
Belgian Grand Prix live updates: McLaren issue team orders for race

News.com.au

time4 hours ago

  • News.com.au

Belgian Grand Prix live updates: McLaren issue team orders for race

Welcome to live coverage of the Belgian Grand Prix. Aussie Oscar Piastri's championship lead sits at nine points but teammate Lando Norris is ready to bring the gap down and will start from pole position. The Brit proved too good during qualifying as he pipped out Piastri with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Red Bull's Max Verstappen lining up on the second row. Norris is chasing his third straight victory and his fifth on the season, a feat that would match Piastri who's last victory came in Spain at the start of June. While track conditions have been dry over the course of the weekend, the race is set to unfold in wet conditions with the heavens opening above the famous Spa-francorchamps circuit. Don't miss a second of the action with the lights set to go out from 11pm (AEST).

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store