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The 18 months that soured Christian Horner’s two-decade F1 legacy at Red Bull

by Daniel Harris
3 days ago
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Christian Horner's Red Bull reign came to a tumultuous end

Christian Horner's Red Bull reign came to a tumultuous end

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Christian Horner has been lauded among the greatest team bosses Formula 1 has seen, but how did a turbulent 18 months place a stain on his two-decade Red Bull reign?

Horner was a part of the Red Bull team’s formation back in 2005, when the drinks brand bought out the struggling Jaguar operation.

The Briton revived the team’s fortunes to guide it through two dominant periods, including 124 race victories, 287 podium visits and over 8000 championship points.

On two occasions, a Red Bull driver has taken four consecutive titles under Horner’s tenure: Sebastian Vettel from 2010 to 2013, and Max Verstappen more recently.

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However, the glory days of Red Bull and Horner are drifting further away into the mist, as poor performances on track and a mess of controversies off it have only managed to tarnish one of the greatest legacies in F1 history.

But just how did the team on cloud nine just 18 months ago, unravel so quickly and in such a damaging way?

The beginning of the end

Horner’s downfall began in the Spring of 2024, when allegations fell against the Red Bull Team Principal about his behaviour.

A female member of the Red Bull team accused Horner of behaving inappropriately in the workplace, which Horner denied completely.

The team would launch an official probe into the matter, even hiring an independent barrister to get to the bottom of the matter.

Red Bull's dominance in early 2024 was overshadowed by matters off the track
Red Bull’s dominance in early 2024 was overshadowed by matters off the track

 

Although Horner would be cleared of any wrongdoing, it unfortunately wasn’t the end of the matter.

A month later, documents were leaked claiming to be related to the case in question, which threw the whole situation up in the air once again.

Red Bull did not confirm whether the documents were real or falsified, but the team shared a statement from Horner at the time saying that he “won’t comment on anonymous speculation”.

Whether the controversy surrounding the allegations caused more internal problems than there already were is yet to be known; however, the knock-on effects were clear to see.

Senior personnel flood to the exit door

As the 2024 season kicked off, the first of the major pillars of Red Bull’s culture announced their departure.

Just a few weeks after the allegations were made, possibly the greatest designer in F1 history, Adrian Newey, announced he would be leaving Red Bull after 18 years.

Newey had been responsible for the team’s greatest successes, designing the cars that won eight Drivers and six Constructors’ Championships over a 14-year spell.

Christian Horner has responded to claims by Adrian Newey that Red Bull encountered development issues due to inexperience
Adrian Newey was Red Bull’s most high-profile loss

 

The Briton’s departure succeeded Chief Engineering Officer Rob Marshall opted to depart to pastures new with McLaren in January, ending his own 17-year Red Bull stint.

But that wasn’t the end, as long-time Sporting Director Jonathon Wheatley announced that he would be taking over the 2026 Audi takeover of the Sauber F1 team.

With these huge losses to the team’s structure, the off-track situation was starting to have an impact on the performances on the track, too.

Dominant no more

Despite being the leading force under the ground effect regulations, 2024 would finally see Red Bull’s dominance come to an end.

The tide began to turn against Red Bull at the 2024 Miami Grand Prix, which saw Lando Norris claim his first-ever Grand Prix victory.

And as the season unfolded, the papaya machines only got stronger, not only catching but overhauling Red Bull in the Constructors’ Championship.

McLaren is regarded as favourites over Red Bull in F1 2025
Red Bull’s competitiveness declined as 2024 progressed

 

In fact, Red Bull would finish 2024, not only behind McLaren, but also behind Ferrari, bringing home third in the Championship, a rather distant third at that.

While Verstappen still wrapped up the Drivers’ title, the tide had begun to turn on the opposite side of the garage.

Despite finishing on the podium in four of the first five races of 2024, Sergio Perez’s season took an astonishing nose dive as the season went on.

In fact, after the summer break, where Verstappen scored 160 points, the Mexican could only muster a pitiful 21 points, ending the season in eighth in the standings.

Unsurprisingly, Red Bull would call time on Perez’s time in F1 – to an extortionate cost – hoping that a new line-up would re-strengthen the weakened Bull.

The same old problems arise

However, the current season would see Red Bull’s problems deepen as rookie Liam Lawson struggled even more than Perez had in the previous campaign.

The New Zealander would last two weekends with the senior squad prior to being demoted back to Racing Bulls ahead of the third round in Japan.

Furthermore, his replacement, Yuki Tsunoda, has also failed to impress alongside Verstappen.

Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) Red Bull Racing. 05.07.2025. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 12, British Grand Prix, Silverstone, England, Qualifying Day
Red Bull’s second driver problem has worsened in 2025

 

The Japanese pilot has just three points finishes to his name, and has failed to score in the last five races, the first time this has happened to Red Bull since 2008.

Despite Verstappen’s almost miracle work at times to keep Red Bull in any kind of title fight, the second car’s inability to replicate it leaves Red Bull outside the top three.

All this combined, it can’t be surprising that star man Verstappen may be taking stock of his options for 2026.

With recent rumours regarding a possible move to Mercedes, Red Bull may have had to make a huge sacrifice in an attempt to keep the Dutchman on side.

Whatever future lies ahead for Red Bull, one thing is for sure: Horner’s legacy of 20 years leaves a slightly more sour taste in the mouth as his tenure at Red Bull came to a crushing end.

READ MORE – Red Bull has rolled the dice to retain Max Verstappen with Christian Horner removal

Tags: F1HornerRedBull
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