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Daily Mirror
01-08-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Christian Horner's life since Red Bull sack and 'obvious' F1 return plan
Christian Horner was unexpectedly sacked by Red Bull as their team principal in July but the legendary F1 boss has been tipped to return to the sport in the near future Simon Lazenby has revealed how Christian Horner has been keeping himself busy since his shock dismissal from Red Bull. He went on to name Alpine and a potential new Formula One team, where Horner will look to own a share, as obvious landing spots for him if he makes a comeback to the sport. Horner was suddenly axed as Red Bull F1's team principal in July after two decades at the helm. The 51-year-old was caught off guard by the decision, having managed the team since their formation in 2005, guiding them to eight drivers' titles and six constructors' crowns. His exit, which came after the British Grand Prix, was followed by a tearful farewell at Red Bull's Milton Keynes headquarters. It followed months of disappointing on-track results and internal disputes at Red Bull. Since Laurent Mekies took over his position, Horner has stayed away from the spotlight. But one individual who has managed to catch up with him in that time is Sky Sports F1 host Lazenby, who was recently asked by Nico Rosberg about what the ex-Red Bull chief said during their encounter. Lazenby replied: 'A lot of the stuff he talked about was off the record. Now that the dust has settled a little bit and he's spending his weekends riding his horse and spending quality time with his family, which he needed to do, do we think that he will come back?' With many across the sport convinced that Horner is eager to make an F1 comeback in some form, there has been speculation about which team he will lend his wealth of experience to. However, his return wouldn't be straightforward given his limited options and the unlikelihood of being handed the same power and control at another F1 outfit. Lazenby added: 'Everybody's saying he's not going to come back without a share in the team, that's an obvious thing. He's got a great relationship with [Alpine team principal] Flavio Briatore. Would he come back there? 'He's not going to go to Ferrari. He's not going to want to uproot his entire family. He's also not potentially going to have a chunk of Ferrari given to him. So does he think about [starting] a twelfth team? Will he start his own team? 'We're absolutely going to see him again. I feel like this is just an enforced hiatus. He's going to come back with a point to prove.' Rosberg agreed that Alpine would represent a logical long-term project, despite the bottom team-placed team only recently confirming Steve Nielsen's appointment as their managing director. A move to McLaren or Mercedes seems out of the question, whilst Fred Vasseur has secured a new multi-year deal at Ferrari. As they gear up to become F1's 11th team in 2026, Cadillac have held discussions with Horner, though Graeme Lowdon only joined in December.
Indian Express
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- Indian Express
Formula 1: What has gone right for McLaren as they head to Belgian GP on top of drivers' and constructors' races?
By Amrit Prakash The 2025 season has come up like a reward for long years of sweat and toil for McLaren. Ahead of the Belgian GP this weekend, the McLaren team is leading both the drivers' and constructors' standings. With both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris at the top and both commanding over a 60-point lead over the dominant champion Max Verstappen, McLaren is starting to dream about its first champion since they had the modern-day great Lewis Hamilton in their stables in 2008. With a commanding lead of over 200 points over Ferrari, which is placed a distant second in the constructors chart, McLaren looks well within reach to repeat the 2024 constructor's title win, which it won after a long two decades in 1998 when Mika Hakkinen successfully won the championship with active support from David Coulthard. McLaren's dream run of 2025 isn't due to luck or a single innovation. It's the result of an amalgamation of a sweeping technical overhaul supported by strong leadership and trust in the sustained efforts of various team members. As former team owner Ron Dennis once said, 'You don't expect to be at the top of the mountain the day you start climbing.' The team has been charting its way back to the top gradually since the fall from the top in the 2013 season. Andrea Stella, who took over from Andreas Seidl as team principal in the 2023 season, has been with McLaren since 2015, prior to which he had worked with Ferrari and F1 legend Michael Schumacher. He has overhauled the team by bringing in Rob Marshall, ex-Red Bull honcho, who revamped the car architecture. Peter Prodromou, the veteran aerodynamicist, made improvements in the chassis and aerodynamics of the car. This gave the winning combination of the MCL39 car of 2025 with active support from the pool of young talent. 'It's not about shortcuts. It's about culture, science, and belief,' Stella once said. The belief is visible in the MCL39 car. There have been changes in the chassis design with reoriented suspension. Front and rear suspension redesign has also helped the MCL39 reduce wearing down of tires and helped stabilised the aerodynamic platform. Rob Marshall's architectural innovations have overhauled the diffuser and the cooling package of the car. Work was also done on the thermal management of the car with improvement on the airflow in the sidepods and engine cover. The McLaren team has also introduced advanced use of telemetry with AWS and Splunk, providing them with real-time simulation for tire prediction and aero modelling. Behind the wheel, UK-born Lando Norris has been McLaren's consistent driver for the last seven years, while the Australian Piastri has been with the team since 2023 when he replaced fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo. Both Norris and Piastri are technical, adaptable, and collaborative, which was absent in previous pairings of MCL39 initially suited Piastri's braking style, but Norris adapted to it by tweaking his technique, contributing to a stronger mid-season surge in performance. What's also important is that Piastri and Norris don't just coexist—they push each other to their limits, giving McLaren its desired results. With nine constructors' titles, McLaren is only behind Ferrari in the all-time list, making it one of the most consistent teams. But the last decades have just seen the downfall of this glorious team. After Mika Häkkinen's retirement in 2001, McLaren struggled to maintain title-contending form with the Mercedes chassis issue of 2004. Then came the 2007 Stepneygate Scandal, where McLaren was fined $100 million for possessing Ferrari technical data, and banned from the championship race. 2008 gave them a winner in Hamilton, but they lost to Ferrari in the Constructors race. Their real downfall started when the new chassis policy in the Mercedes engine was adopted, which resulted in the disastrous season of 2013-14. But things turned worse from there, with the Honda Gp2 engine also facing public criticism from the drivers. The seasons of 2015-17 gave McLaren its worst finish since its origin. With another transition to Renault for three years, McLaren again returned to Mercedes in 2021 which has laid the foundation for the team to regain its long-lost glory. McLaren is one of those teams that has supported raw talent, be it in the case of 1976 champion James Hunt or Niki Lauda, who later won with McLaren in 1984. Hamilton, who won the 2008 F1 title, was also a raw talent. Jenson Button, who won the F1 title with Brawn, was a McLaren find too. Same is the case of current drivers, Piastri and Norris, who helped McLaren win the 2024 constructors title, the first since 1998. After the British Grand Prix 2025, the point difference between Piastri and Norris is eight points, and the intra-team rivalry is starting to emerge. Will this lead to a split between the winning pair, like we have seen throughout the history of McLaren in famous rivalries between Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna or the British pair of Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton? The performance of Norris and Piastri is getting compared with three-time Champion Senna and four-time champion Prost, who dominated the F1 for the decade with the McLaren team. With 12 races to go in the season, it is for these drivers to prove that they are worthy of this comparison.
Scottish Sun
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
'50-year-old who thought he was 20′ – Bernie Ecclestone blasts ‘idiot' Christian Horner after he was sacked by Red Bull
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BERNIE ECCLESTONE has labelled Christian Horner 'an idiot' in the wake of his Red Bull sacking earlier this week. The ex-Red Bull team principal seemed a permanent fixture in F1 until allegations of him sending suggestive WhatsApp messages to a female employee emerged last year. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Christian Horner was this week dismissed by Red Bull Credit: PA 4 Bernie Ecclestone is friends with Horner - but didn't mince his words Credit: AFP Horner, 51, has consistently denied the claims of inappropriate and controlling behaviour made against him. In February 2024, Horner was cleared of any wrongdoing after multiple probes. He spent a tumultuous three weeks fighting for his career after a female colleague alleged controlling and coercive behaviour by the boss. The probe later investigated him allegedly sending improper messages to a woman. A KC cleared Horner for a second time in August after the unnamed accuser launched an appeal following the internal probe. Now F1 legend Bernie Ecclestone - a longtime friend of Horner - has criticised him for his conduct regarding the scandal. He told the Telegraph: "This other business that he got involved with 18 months ago, he was just an idiot. "He was a 50-year-old who thought he was 20, thought he was one of the boys." 4 Horner with Spice Girl wife Geri Credit: Splash BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Ecclestone and Horner's friendship extends to beyond the latter's arrival at Red Bull, with the pair reportedly attending each others weddings. Ex-Formula One boss Ecclestone was not surprised with the sacking, suggesting that unease surrounding Horner's prominence within the Red Bull brand could have played a role. Christian Horner SACKED by Red Bull F1! Shock Departure After 20 Years He said: "It would probably have been better if they had said 'Come in Christian, sit down.' "But the bottom line is there are people who thought he was getting away with things, that he was acting as if it was not the Red Bull ring, but the Christian Horner ring." Horner gave an emotional speech to Red Bull staff following his sacking. He was not the only staff member to be fired, with a number of his closest allies also axed. Ecclestone suggests the timing of the decision to move on from Horner coinciding with Red Bull's struggles to compete this season is not a coincidence. He continued: "He got away with so many things. "All the time you are delivering , people close their eyes - but when you stop delivering, people start looking. "One or two begin thinking 'Well I could do a better job.'" Reigning world champion Max Verstappen is third in the standings while Red Bull trail McLaren by a whopping 288 points in the Constructors standings at the half way stage of the season. The British racing executive ran the Red Bull F1 team for 20 years since his appointment in 2005, in which time he has become one of the most decorated team bosses of all time. Horner's tenure oversaw six constructors titles and EIGHT drivers' championships across dominant spells with Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen. The latter posted an emotional farewell to Horner following the dismissal. Horner will be succeeded in his role by French engineer Laurent Mekies.
The Irish Sun
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
'50-year-old who thought he was 20′ – Bernie Ecclestone blasts ‘idiot' Christian Horner after he was sacked by Red Bull
BERNIE ECCLESTONE has labelled Christian Horner 'an idiot' in the wake of his Red Bull sacking earlier this week. The ex-Red Bull team principal seemed a permanent fixture in F1 until allegations of him sending to a female employee emerged last year. Advertisement 4 Christian Horner was this week dismissed by Red Bull Credit: PA 4 Bernie Ecclestone is friends with Horner - but didn't mince his words Credit: AFP Horner, 51, has consistently denied the claims of inappropriate and controlling behaviour made against him. In February 2024, Horner was cleared of any wrongdoing after multiple probes. He spent The probe later investigated him allegedly sending improper messages to a woman. Advertisement READ MORE ON MOTORSPORT A KC cleared Horner for a Now F1 legend Bernie Ecclestone - a longtime friend of Horner - has criticised him for his conduct regarding the scandal. He told the "He was a 50-year-old who thought he was 20, thought he was one of the boys." Advertisement Most read in Motorsport Exclusive 4 Horner with Spice Girl wife Geri Credit: Splash BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Ecclestone and Horner's friendship extends to beyond the latter's arrival at Red Bull, with the pair reportedly attending each others weddings. Ex-Formula One boss Ecclestone was not surprised with the sacking, suggesting that unease surrounding Horner's prominence within the Red Bull brand could have played a role. Advertisement Christian Horner SACKED by Red Bull F1! Shock Departure After 20 Years He said: "It would probably have been better if they had said 'Come in Christian, sit down.' "But the bottom line is there are people who thought he was getting away with things, that he was acting as if it was not the Red Bull ring, but the Christian Horner ring." Horner gave an He was not the only staff member to be fired, with a Advertisement Ecclestone suggests the timing of the decision to move on from Horner coinciding with Red Bull's struggles to compete this season is not a coincidence. He continued: "He got away with so many things. "All the time you are delivering , people close their eyes - but when you stop delivering, people start looking. "One or two begin thinking 'Well I could do a better job.'" Advertisement Reigning world champion Max Verstappen is third in the standings while Red Bull trail McLaren by a whopping 288 points in the Constructors standings at the half way stage of the season. The British racing executive ran the Red Bull F1 team for 20 years since his appointment in 2005, in which time he has become one of the most decorated team bosses of all time. Horner's tenure oversaw six constructors titles and EIGHT drivers' championships across dominant spells with Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen. The latter Advertisement Horner will be succeeded in his role by French engineer Laurent Mekies. 4
Scottish Sun
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
‘He's going to call it a day' – Ex-Red Bull mechanic claims Max Verstappen will quit F1 THIS YEAR
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MAX VERSTAPPEN has been sensationally tipped to QUIT Red Bull at the end of the season by a former team mechanic. The Dutchman has won four drivers' titles in a row and is hunting for a fifth this year - which would see him match a feat only achieved by Michael Schumacher in Formula One history. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Max Verstappen has been tipped to win a fifth F1 title and then call it quits Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 2 The call comes from ex-Red Bull mechanic Calum Nicholas Credit: Getty However, Verstappen has fallen 49 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri amid huge performance struggles with the Red Bull machinery this season. Verstappen has continued winning races despite the issues and even the power struggle which hit the team last year. He has been linked with an exit from the Racing Bulls, with a team transfer to the likes of Mercedes or Aston Martin. But ex-Red Bull mechanic Calum Nicholas believes Verstappen - who became a dad for the first time last month - could QUIT F1 entirely, if he wins a fifth World Drivers Championship. READ MORE IN F1 VA VA ROOM Hilton unveil £1,800-a-night McLaren hotel suite with F1 simulator and bar Speaking on Lucas Stewart's YouTube channel as he played a round of golf, Nicholas was asked how many titles Verstappen would win in his career. He gave his answer before revealing what he thought lay ahead for the 27-year-old. Nicolas said: "Five. I think Max is going to win the Drivers' this year, and then I think he's going to call it a day." Despite his answer, the mechanic insisted he didn't "know anything" extra about Verstappen's career plans. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Nicholas added: "To not back Max is just like lunacy, I think. The guy is just really really good. "Not in terms of just his technical skill and his talent, but I've watched Max grow into this guy that can do everything. Lewis Hamilton hit with grid penalty at Monaco Grand Prix after blunder saw him forced to apologise to Verstappen "He does everything well now." Verstappen's last race win this season came at the Imola Grand Prix on May 18. He finished fourth at the Monaco Grand Prix a week later before inexplicably ramming his car into George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix. That earned him a 10-second penalty - demoting him from P5 to P10 - and three penalty points on his licence to put him on the brink of a race ban. Verstappen has 11 out of 12 points needed to earn a race ban across the 12-month rolling system for the penalty points. He will need to be on his best behaviour at the Canadian and Austrian Grand Prix to avoid a ban in the following race before he sees two penalty points expire on June 30. SunSport looked at five potential replacements for Verstappen if he is banned from competing for one weekend. Names include impressive F1 rookie Isack Hadjar, Red Bull flop Liam Lawson and F2 prodigy Arvid Lindblad, who recently raced against Leeds United stars on the Elland Road pitch.
