Christian Horner reflects on Red Bull exit and suggests control may have played a part

Christian Horner has revisited his departure from Red Bull in an emotional interview. Removed from his role on 9 July 2025, he described a brutal break with a business to which he had devoted himself. “I never imagined to be in this position,” he said. “It was a very difficult time because it was so… brutally executed. I mean, I put my heart and soul into that business, and suddenly to have it taken away was very tough.”

The reasons behind his exit remain at the heart of the questions raised in the interview. Possible factors include allegations from early 2024, Red Bull’s results—the team won only two Grands Prix in the first half of 2025—and the possibility of an ultimatum from Max Verstappen’s camp. Horner suggested another explanation, involving the balance of power: “Perhaps I was deemed to have too much control.” He also recalled being told that the team looked more like “Christian Racing” than “Red Bull Racing.”

The interview also points to a struggle over the team’s identity and direction. Horner said tensions between the Austrian parent company and his racing team had been building since co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz died. Asked whether he would have dismissed himself given the team’s downturn in mid-2025, he defended his record. “I think that Formula 1 is a results-based business,” he replied. He went on to cite 124 victories, 14 world championships, 287 podiums, a win ratio of one in four, more than $3 billion in sponsorship revenue generated, and an engine created from scratch.

Horner also described the contrast between his departure and what followed. He said he had left the team in good shape, but admitted that seeing his drivers celebrate without him had been painful. “What hurt was seeing all the people not being able to share that moment with them,” he said. “It’s kind of looking through the window of a party that you’re not invited to.” After his dismissal, Red Bull found its footing again and Max Verstappen won six of the next nine races, helping to stabilise the team.

For the 15 months following his exit, Horner enjoyed his severance package at his country estate. In the interview, he reflects both on the abruptness of his departure and on questions of control, as well as the record he believes he left behind.