Max Verstappen has downplayed the impact he had in Christian Horner’s departure from Red Bull, stating the decision was led by the team’s shareholders and senior management as part of a wider shift in direction within the Formula 1 outfit.
The Briton was dismissed by Red Bull earlier this month after a turbulent 18 months marked by a drop in performance and various internal challenges.
One of the main factors behind his exit was reportedly dissatisfaction from Verstappen’s camp with his leadership during the team’s recent struggles.
Whilst both the Red Bull hierarchy and the reiging World Champion’s management both refused to go into detail behind the sacking, Verstappen offered his take on the matter ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix.
The 27-year-old revealed that the decision was one made by people above himself, as he played no part as just “the driver”.
“At the end of the day, management and, of course, the shareholders decided that they wanted a change,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“They run the team and I’m the driver, so whatever they decide, it’s fully [within] their right to do what they want.
“That’s basically how it happened, and at the same time now, sitting here, you look back at those 20 years of Red Bull, I think we’ve had a lot of great years, great results.
“Now, next year, of course, there are also years where it’s not going that well. I think the last one and a half years have not gone how we would have liked.
“And yeah, management decided they wanted to steer the ship in a different direction, probably.
“Everyone else, of course, has to agree to that and look forward. I am looking forward, of course, I already had quite a few meetings with Laurent [Mekies] as well.
“The last two weeks have been quite tense for him to jump in. But yeah, I’m equally excited for the team now moving forward because that’s what we have to do.”
Verstappen reflects on Red Bull legacy and the personal side of Horner’s exit
Reflecting further on Horner’s departure, Verstappen acknowledged the significance of the Red Bull team’s long history and the personal connections that remain despite recent changes.
“Looking back, it doesn’t make sense — it’s not going to make you faster,” he continued.
“But at the same time, we do appreciate, of course, those 20 years and especially from my side, the 10, 11 years that I’ve been part of Red Bull.
“Yeah, those things will always be remembered, and the relationship between myself and Christian, for example, that doesn’t change.
“Of course, he’s not here now during a race weekend. But it’s still like a second family to me.”
When asked about the tensions between his father and Horner over the past 18 months, Verstappen added: “Now, I think people can have a difference of opinion here and then.
“I actually expect that to happen because if everyone always agrees, there is a problem. You need to have [a] difference of opinions.
“And yeah, that’s now something that we work with in a different direction. I’m excited about it.”
Verstappen revealed he learned about the news just half a day before it was made public.
As for who informed him, Verstappen explained: “I mean, the shareholders told me.
“I have a good relationship with them. So I think it’s quite normal that they inform some people in the team before it goes out. I think it’s a standard practice.”
Red Bull star keeps his opinion on Horner exit private
Verstappen was not surprised by the decision, explaining that such changes happen in the sport.
“Surprised? I mean, at the end of the day, I think in this world, things like that can happen,” he said.
“When they told me, I was like, okay, it’s not like they just said, ‘This is what we decided,’ and then hung up.
“You have a conversation about it. I don’t need to go into detail about what they said, but it’s okay.
“If you guys think this is the way forward, I’m the driver, you decide, and this is how we’re going to do it.”
He added that only “time will tell” if removing Horner was the right decision, confirming they’ve since spoken.
Regarding what he made of the shareholders’ rationale and plan going forward, Verstappen stated: “What I made out of it? I gave them my opinion and I keep that to myself.
“If they want to say more about it, they will do, and you will hear about it.”
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