Christian Horner reveals his hidden battle with panic attacks

Christian Horner says he experienced panic attacks during his Formula 1 career. For two decades, the Red Bull Racing figurehead projected composure through title battles and paddock tensions while dealing with alarming physical episodes.

He initially put the symptoms — including effects on his breathing and cardiovascular system — down to fatigue or excessive caffeine. “I didn’t know what it was,” he admitted, recalling the onset of the attacks.

When they returned, Horner sought medical attention. The checks found no physical problem; the cause was psychological overload. “They said, ‘We think you have anxiety. Your breathing is very shallow.’ It was my body telling me I was pushing pretty hard. I can recognise the symptoms now, let them go, and breathe,” he recalled.

Horner also described the identity shock that followed his unexpected departure from Red Bull in July 2025. Horner also expressed respect for his fiercest rival, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, who has publicly described living with clinical depression and receiving therapy. “Toto was very brave to talk openly about something affecting people our age,” Horner said.

He argued that abruptly losing a professional role can deeply affect people whose identity is bound up with their work. “The identity of many middle-aged guys is through their work. Suddenly you have that stripped and taken from you,” he explained. After 21 consecutive seasons in which he missed countless personal milestones, Horner was able to spend a race weekend in London celebrating his daughter Olivia’s 13th birthday and take her to see the musical Hamilton in the West End.

Stepping away from the paddock has given him an unprecedented lifestyle reset, although he says Formula 1 remains the professional arena that excites him most. Asked what he misses, he replied: “The people, the team, the competition. I still love the sport.” He added: “But I don’t miss the travel and politics.”