Latest news with #ChristianHorner
The Sun
6 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Christian Horner could make shock return to F1 with Red Bull's rivals after brutal sacking and have very frosty reunion
Isabelle Barker, Sport Reporter Published: Invalid Date, CHRISTIAN HORNER is jobless for the first time since 2004 after his brutal Red Bull sacking last week. The 51-year-old is now twidling his thumbs on gardening leave for the rest of the year. 6 6 And Horner and will be weighing up his options from January 2026 onwards. Rumours have been swirling around over the Brit's potential destinations - including a shock move to Ferrari. Reports in Italian and German media begun claiming in May that Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur's position is under threat. Vasseur hit out at the reports and said they were "disrespectful" and "very harsh". But German outlet BILD has added fuel to the fire, claiming that Ferrari had made "informal" contact with Horner. Horner dismissed the report - but speculation will continue to grow as the weeks go by with him sitting on the sidelines. Come the Belgian Grand Prix later this month, Horner will be missing from the F1 paddock for the first time in nearly 21 years. And Horner, who won six constructors' championships and eight drivers' titles with Red Bull, will no doubt be getting itchy feet soon. If Horner did pen an unlikely move at Ferrari it would see him form a wild pairing with his old rival, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton has a Ferrari contract until at least the end of 2026 and is already a huge voice within the Italian team. It is likely he would not be impressed if Horner replaced Vasseur, given he is a big fan of the Frenchman and has thrown his support behind him in public. When Vasseur's future was under speculation, Hamilton said: "I love working with Fred – Fred's the main reason I'm in this team and got the opportunity to be here, for which I'm forever grateful for, and we're in this together. 'We're working hard in the background, things aren't perfect but, for me, I'm here to work with the team but also with Fred. "I want Fred here. I do believe Fred is the person to take us to the top, so that's that. So it's all nonsense." Bad blood Hamilton took a strong take on Horner's alleged 'inappropriate behaviour' with a female colleague last year. The ex-Red Bull boss was twice cleared from it by an independent investigation but Hamilton said it was "hanging over the sport" and said the outcome was "important for the future of F1". He also hit out at Horner in 2023 for "stirring" when he claimed Hamilton tried to join his team after leaving Mercedes. At the time Horner said that a member of Hamilton's team had been in touch over a possible switch to Red Bull earlier in the year. Hamilton rebuffed it and said Horner had actually been the one to text him and try set up a meeting. Obviously there was bad blood going back between the two during Hamilton and Max Verstappen's fierce and controversial title fight in 2021 which reached its crescendo in the contentious season finale in Abu Dhabi. 6 6 6 Hamilton changed his tune Recently, with Horner still at Red bull, Hamilton admitted he regretted referring to Red Bull as a "drinks company" in 2011. His comments suggested that he is previous beef with Horner was water under the bridge. At Silverstone he said: "Many, many years ago, I remember saying something about Red Bull being only a drinks company. 'I always regretted it because I was just saying that Mercedes at the time were great. "I was really just trying to gee up my team. But the truth is, Red Bull have been an incredible team. There are so many people there that are exceptional and they've dominated for years.' Horner makes his feelings on Hamilton known It feels like Horner would have no qualms working with the British 40-year-old, who he has praised in public this season. Speaking earlier in the year, Horner said of Hamilton's Ferrari move: "I've seen some pictures, I think it [Ferrari red] suits him. "It's great for Formula 1. Lewis Hamilton in a Ferrari – that really is box office. "I think it's just another dynamic for this year that could be super exciting." Back in 2023, Horner was asked whether he would sign Hamilton for Red Bull. He replied: "What Lewis has achieved in F1 is second to none, but we're very happy with the drivers that we have – they're committed as a pair for not only this season but the next season as well. "I can't see where we would be able to accommodate Lewis, but I'm sure they're [Mercedes] going to sort their issues out and we're certainly not writing him off yet." 6
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Christian Horner breaks silence on Red Bull exit after ‘special F1 journey'
Christian Horner has broken his silence after being dismissed by Red Bull during the 2025 F1 season after more than two decades in charge. The former Red Bull team principal's emotional farewell speech at the team's HQ in Milton Keynes was leaked online, with hundreds in attendance giving the 51-year-old a standing ovation after his shock departure. Advertisement And Horner has outlined how he achieved 'accolades we never dreamed possible' and thanked both his team and rivals for enabling 'a special journey,' which included guiding Max Verstappen to four world titles, a partnership the Dutch driver had acknowledged after paying tribute to his former boss. 'After an incredible journey of twenty years together, it is with a heavy heart that today I say goodbye to the Team I have absolutely loved,' Horner said in a statement on social media. 'Every one of you, the amazing people at the factory, have been the heart and soul of everything that we have achieved. Win and lose, every step of the way, we have stood by each other as one and I will never forget that. It's been a privilege being part of and leading this epic Team and I am so proud of our collective accomplishments and you all. 'Thanks to the amazing partners and fans who enabled us to go racing. Your support has helped grow the team from its humble beginnings to an F1 powerhouse that laid claim to six Constructors Championships and eight Drivers Championships. Advertisement 'Equally, thank you to our rivals, with whom there would be no racing at all. You've pushed us, challenged us, and enabled us to achieve accolades we never dreamed possible. The competition has made every victory sweeter and every setback an opportunity to develop and grow. 'Formula 1 is a sport built on relentless ambition, passion, and respect. The rivalries have been fierce, but the mutual drive to innovate and raise the bar is what has made this journey so special. Christian Horner has left Red Bull Racing after 20 years at the helm (Getty) 'It's been an honour to be part of this incredible era of motorsport. I leave with immense pride in what we've achieved and also with what's in the pipeline for 2026 — and huge respect for everyone who's made F1 the pinnacle it is today. Thank You. Christian.' Advertisement Horner then listed his achievements leading Red Bull, including six constructors' championships, eight drivers' championships and 124 victories in total. He added 12 sprint victories, 287 podiums, 107 pole positions and 100 fastest laps, emphasising a dominant run over more than two decades.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Karun Chandhok weighs up ‘potential' next F1 team for Christian Horner
Karun Chandhok speculated that Christian Horner could join Alpine as team principal after his Red Bull exit. Horner was relieved of his duties as Red Bull F1 CEO last week in a surprise announcement, after 20 years and 14 world titles with the team. Advertisement The 51-year-old has not missed a race since taking charge of Red Bull in 2005 but is set for some time away from the sport in light of his departure. However, Horner has been linked with Ferrari in recent months – and a potential link-up with Lewis Hamilton – but Sky Sports pundit Chandhok named another outfit who could target Horner. 'Could he go to Alpine and stay living in the UK?' Chandhok told Sky Sports News. 'Alpine are still based in that motorsport valley and are looking for a team principal. Christian's old friend Flavio Briatore is in charge. That could be a potential destination. 'Could he go to Ferrari? There were lots of rumours that they tried to hire him on various occasions. I don't think he'll go there.' Christian Horner has left Red Bull Racing after 20 years at the helm (Getty Images) Christian Horner has left Red Bull Racing after 20 years at the helm (Getty Images) Advertisement Horner lives in rural Oxfordshire, close to Alpine's UK base in Enstone, and has a close relationship with Alpine adviser Briatore. Laurent Mekies, formerly team principal at sister team Racing Bulls, has taken over from Horner at Red Bull and will take charge from the next race, the Belgian Grand Prix (25-27 July). Red Bull are currently fourth in the constructors' championship while star driver Max Verstappen is 69 points behind leader Oscar Piastri in the drivers' standings at the halfway stage of the season.
Daily Mirror
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Martin Brundle reveals 'Team Verstappen' role in Christian Horner Red Bull exit
Christian Horner was relieved of his duties as Red Bull Racing team principal and chief executive last week after 20 years in charge of the F1 team and 14 titles Martin Brundle believes it is "obvious" that Max Verstappen and his closest allies played a part in the downfall of Christian Horner. The long-serving team principal and chief executive of Red Bull Racing was sacked by the Austrian energy drinks company last week after 20 years in charge. Horner oversaw 14 Formula 1 titles during that period, including eight drivers' championships – four each secured by Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen – and six teams' standings successes. But the final 18 months of his tenure were both professionally and personally difficult. On track, a strong start to 2024 laid the foundation of Verstappen's fourth drivers' title in a row, but their performance dropped off as the season progressed while McLaren emerged as the new dominant force on the grid. That all came after Horner was accused by a female colleague of 'inappropriate behaviour', which he denied. He was cleared by an external KC hired by Red Bull to investigate the allegation, but his enemies saw their chance to try to orchestrate his downfall. One of his most vocal critics was Jos Verstappen, who publicly called for Horner's head and was happy to regularly brief friendly journalists. Sky Sports pundit Brundle referenced that as he gave his insight into the situation while speaking on The F1 Show podcast. He said: "Obviously, Team Verstappen had been briefing certain journalists and Christian has just come more and more under pressure, and he lost key people like Adrian Newey, like Rob Marshall, like Jonathan Wheatley. "I think his failing on that was convincing himself and trying to convince everybody else that they weren't really doing that much anymore, and it really didn't matter, he'd got a better crew behind them. But that wasn't correct, and I think we've seen [that]. "But, let's remember, this is a team that was on pole position last weekend in Silverstone, one of the toughest circuits in the world, and have won two Grands Prix this year. It's not exactly like it's been a disaster and they completely non-performed. "But I think there were too many things working against him, and I think eventually... He had a lot of support from [Red Bull majority owner] Chalerm Yoovidhya and I think eventually that has faded away, and the inevitable has happened." Horner has been succeeded in both his former roles by Laurent Mekies, who steps up from his previous post as team principal at Racing Bulls. The Frenchman has, in turn, been replaced at the sister outfit by Alan Permane who was previously sporting director.
BBC News
13 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Could Horner end up at another F1 team?
The big news in Formula 1 last week was Christian Horner being sacked as team principal by Red had been in charge of the Red Bull team since their inception in 2005, leading them to eight drivers' titles and six constructors' championships.A statement released on 9 July said: "Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today."He has been replaced as team principal and chief executive of Red Bull Racing by Laurent Mekies, who has been promoted from second team Racing Sport F1 correspondent Andrew Benson answers your latest questions. What role will Christian Horner play at Red Bull in the future? The Red Bull statement says he has been removed from his operational duties (but not released totally)? - MikeFirst, let's clear up what Red Bull has and has not Bull said that it had "released Christian Horner from his operational duties".It made no other statement about Horner's employment situation. Horner did that himself, by saying in his farewell speech to Red Bull staff: "I will still remain employed by the company, but, operationally, the baton will be handed over."This does not mean Horner will still have a role to play at Red Bull in the future. He won't. His involvement with Red Bull is has been fired as team principal and chief executive officer of the F1 team, and as soon as a severance deal is negotiated he will no longer even be technically may take some time to finalise. But any links or influence Horner has with or over Red Bull are finished. There's a lot of talk about the influence that the Verstappen camp have at Red Bull. How has Jos Verstappen, a racing driver's father who isn't on the company pay roll, been able to become so influential in its running? - NeilJos Verstappen's involvement with Red Bull begins and ends with the fact that he is Max Verstappen's father and part of the three-person group that makes decisions on the four-time world champion's career - that's Max himself, Jos and Raymond Vermeulen, their that does not mean Jos Verstappen had any involvement in Red Bull's decision to fire Horner as their F1 team decision was made by Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull's chief executive officer of corporate projects and investments, with support from the Thai main shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya. Mark Mateschitz - son of the late co-owner Dietrich Mateschitz, who took over his father's 49% shareholding - will also have had a was Yoovidhya who saved Horner in February last year, in the wake of a female employee making allegations of sexual harassment and coercive, controlling behaviour against him. Red Bull held two internal investigations, both of which rejected the and Mintzlaff have known for at least a year and a half that Jos Verstappen disliked Horner and that he believed the team would continue to be damaged if Horner remained in not why Horner was fired. He was fired because, in addition to Mintzlaff and Mateschitz being cool on him for a fair while, he lost the support of Chalerm. This seems to have come about following a meeting of Red Bull hierarchy in Dubai about five or six weeks details of what happened and why are still murky, but a number of factors seem to have been was pushing back against the views of Red Bull bosses, as would be expected of someone who had a desire for ultimate team's performance had declined and there were no signs that Horner knew how to fix it. A series of senior personnel had left. And the sexual harassment allegations remain the elephant in the room - it is not clear how they will ultimately resolve all that up, and it seems Mintzlaff decided enough was enough, and Chalerm was not minded to protect Horner any longer. Do you think Christian Horner will join Alpine as team principal? He's apparently a great friend of [executive adviser] Flavio Briatore. - CarolSince Horner was removed from his position at Red Bull, there have been suggestions in some quarters that he would be very attractive to a number of other teams in is one idea that is doing the rounds, although they have just signed Steve Nielsen as managing director - ie, de facto team principal - to start work in has come up again. And there is the question of whether he could return as a co-owner somewhere - Alpine, for example, is said to have about a 20% shareholding up for is Horner as attractive an option as some have suggested?He has been a very successful team principal at Red Bull - the team have won eight drivers' titles, six constructors' titles and 124 grands prix under his there is no question that Red Bull under Horner had a fleetness of foot and improvisational aggression that quite often left their rivals any team wanting to employ him will have to weigh that against potential downsides, many of which were involved in the reasons for Red Bull removing Horner typically wants total control. But you can't have total control as a team principal if the team you are running is part of a wider at Alpine, for example, he would ultimately be answerable to Renault's board. At Ferrari, to chairman John Elkann and CEO Benedetto Vigna. Ultimately, the power would rest with them, not Horner. Could he stomach that?Then there is the question as to whether a single leader is still as impactful in F1 these at McLaren, for example, and the success they have had with chief executive officer Zak Brown in charge, but focusing mainly on the commercial side, and Andrea Stella as team principal with responsibility for running the team wanted to do all that - and more - there is the fact that Red Bull were clearly in decline under Horner.A Horner-led Red Bull without design chief Adrian Newey has not looked anywhere near the force it used to then there are the allegations still hanging over Bull might have cleared him in two separate internal investigations. But outside Red Bull there has been no conclusion to that episode. Until the outcome of that is known, any company that employs Horner is taking a significant reputational risk. As a Sauber fan since my first trip to Silverstone in 1993, what's been the reasons behind the recent uptick in form and the unforgettable moment of Nico Hulkenberg finally getting his podium? - AndrewThere are two parts to this answer. One is Sauber's improved competitiveness, and the other is Hulkenberg the car. Sauber have introduced upgrades at the Spanish, Austrian and British Grands key one was a new floor for Spain, aimed at producing downforce across a wider range of conditions. There were tweaks to this floor in Austria, and again in Silverstone, along with various wing changes front and Hulkenberg drove well to what would have been ninth in Spain before benefiting from new softs after the late safety car to vault to an excellent of course there was his superb third in Silverstone - his first podium - founded on making the right tyre choices at exactly the right time in the changing Spain, Sauber have been the fourth highest scoring team, and Hulkenberg the sixth best scoring driver, and Sauber have vaulted up to sixth in the constructors' there are the improvements in race operations - such as much better pit stops - since Jonathan Wheatley arrived from Red Bull as team the first time since Audi announced it was buying Sauber as the foundation for its factory entry to F1 in 2026, the team has begun to show real promise. The rain at Silverstone was bad enough to trigger a safety car, but still nobody chose to use the wet tyre. What exactly is wrong with it, and what will Pirelli do about it? - TimFor years, the extreme wet supplied by Pirelli was derided as a 'safety-car tyre' - good only for use behind the safety was because it was not a particularly good tyre, while the intermediate was. So drivers wanted to be on the intermediate as soon as possible, simply because it was faster in nearly all Pirelli has revised the extreme for this year and it is a much better tyre than said that, the inter will always be preferred simply because it is much more flexible - it can be used in quite heavy rain right up to when it's almost wet may provide more grip when it's very wet, but the extra flexibility of the inter will always win out if the conditions are variable, as they were at Silverstone.
