Horner Out: The Shockwaves Hit Red Bull Racing
Helmut Marko Christian Horner saga stuns F1 as Red Bull abruptly removes Horner from his CEO and team principal roles. Horner was fired after 20 years as team leader due to internal conflict, declining output, and lingering rumors. His departure was the biggest surprise, and Helmut Marko had a crucial role in planning it.
Marko Wasn’t Just in the Room—He Led the Charge
According to BILD, Helmut Marko wasn’t just a bystander. Longtime Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko joined the July 7 meeting with Red Bull owners Chalerm Yoovidhya, Mark Mateschitz, and head of sport Oliver Mintzlaff, where they finalized Horner’s departure.
The next day, Marko and Mintzlaff delivered the news to Horner in person, sealing the fate of Red Bull’s longest-serving team boss.
Why Was Christian Horner Fired?
Horner’s dismissal comes amid multiple issues:
- Performance decline: Despite Max Verstappen holding third in the drivers’ standings, the RB21 has become nearly undriveable for other drivers, pushing Red Bull to fourth in the constructors’ rankings.
- An internal scandal erupted earlier in 2024 when allegations of inappropriate conduct surfaced against Horner. Although he was cleared, the incident strained his relationships with Marko and Jos Verstappen.
- Leadership loss: The deaths of founder Dietrich Mateschitz and the departure of top talents like Adrian Newey, Rob Marshall, and Jonathan Wheatley further destabilized the team.
Verstappen Clause, Vettel Rumors, and Red Bull’s Next Chapter
Max Verstappen, locked into Red Bull through 2028, may exercise a performance clause to leave early. Meanwhile, Marko—now rumored to be stepping back—has floated Sebastian Vettel as a potential successor.
The drama brings to light deeper disputes inside Red Bull and raises significant questions about the team’s stability, competitiveness, and future direction.
Conclusions Regarding Christian Horner’s Most Recent Performance?
Media publications claim that Horner may have foreseen the problem based on his prior public appearances. In an unusually cautious tone, he refrained from talking about Verstappen, the team’s success, or Red Bull’s internal dynamics.
Source: PlanetF1