‘Embarrassing' Christian Horner bomb explodes on Red Bull

News.com.au

6 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.