Sky Sports F1Martin Brundle of the company believes Max Verstappen could remain in Red Bull after Christian Horner was fired by the team on Wednesday.
Horner, replaced by Racing Bulls’ Laurent Mekies, has been Red Bull Boss since the team was founded in 2005.
The 51-year-old has yet to comment on his looting, but Blandle says that when he was told about his departure, he was given to Horner, “There’s no reason.”
“It’s not completely out of blue given the team’s issues. I’m very sad about it. I think Christian is a friend and he’s been working incredible for 20 years,” Brandle said. Sky Sports News.
“He won so many races and world championships for the driver and team. He took it from the Stewart team and the Jaguar to Milton Keynes’ huge campus. [had] A huge trophy cabinet with so many successes.
“It’s not that difficult to observe and hear what you feel in the F1 paddock or what things aren’t particularly rosy.”
Brandle suggests that the death of Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mayschitz in 2022 caused a long power struggle, and now Horner has been fired for nearly three years.
“Dietrich was the owner of 49% of Red Bull, who started it at the Yuvidian family,” he said.
“He was in charge. Nothing happened when Mattitz signed. He was the absolute leader of the group. Since his death, it had been wrong.
Horner faced turbulence up and down the turbulence after allegations of inappropriate conduct that a female colleague made against him in February 2024 appealed last summer. Horner denied the charges throughout.
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Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner was spotted talking to Joss Verstappen at the Paddock in Bahrain Grampuri. Video courtesy of Sky Italy
Last year, a public feud between Max Verstappen’s father Jos and Horner continued throughout the year, leading to question marks about Max’s future at Red Bull.
Red Bull coincided with Red Bull not having any more cars to beat the track as their rivals caught up in 2024, but Verstappen won four consecutive driver titles.
However, last month, Mercedes boss Totowolf revealed he was having a “conversation” with Burstappencamp about the shocking move to Silver’s arrow.
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Christian Horner said at Silverstone that Red Bull must prove that they can improve their performance to ensure Max Verstappen’s stay
Brandle said: “It would probably mean Verstappens is more likely [Jos and Max] I’ll stay there. I think it made it very personal.
“All points, podiums and victory Max rides a Red Bull car through his own genius driving. He is said to want to see his career in Red Bull as much as he can. They are debuting their engines for the first time next year.
“Christian is fully present in the driver’s seat on that side of the team. Max has an exit clause based on where he is in the World Championships at the end of this month.
“Does this mean he’s likely to go or stay? I can guess that.
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Christian Horner gave a surprising answer when Max Verstappen was asked about “Plan B” when he was asked about “Plan B” if he would leave Red Bull as the principal of the team
Brundle: Mekies did an amazing job with Racing Bulls
Red Bull will begin a new chapter with its next F1 race, which took place in Belgium from July 25-27. Sky Sports F1, Mekies will be the second boss in charge of the costume.
Mekies joined the Red Bull sister team, called Toro Rosso as an engineer in 2006, then joined the FIA as safety director in 2014 and as assistant race director in 2017.
He switched to Ferrari as sports director in 2018 before returning to the Red Bull family as the Racing Bulls team principal in early 2024.
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In May, Christian Horner downplayed speculation that linked him to his move towards Ferrari
“We see these people becoming more and more bosses on our team,” Brandle said.
“Look at the incredible work Andrea Stella does at Williams’ James Vols, McLaren. People with technical backgrounds are in the driver’s seat on that side.
“Laurent has done a great job with the Racing Bulls, but they saw it within the Red Bull Group and quickly got through it.
“Jonathan Wheatley had fantasized the job a lot, but then moved to Southern, and it would become Audi, and perhaps the fact that he fantasized Christian work helped.
“Alan Permae, who takes over Mekies with Racing Bulls, also has enormous operational experience for Formula One team.”
Formula 1 will return in the sprint format and take a short break before the season resumes live at Sky Sports F1 on July 25th-27th. Stream Sky Sports Now – No Contract, Cancel Anytime.
