Just days before his departure from Red Bull, Christian Horner delivered a stark warning to the Formula 1 giants about the future of Max Verstappen.
The Milton Keynes-based squad sensationally fired Horner just days after the British Grand Prix, a race in which its key figures all faced questions about the Dutchman’s future.
Verstappen has been the subject of speculation linking him with a move to rivals Mercedes, a move that could lead to further implosion within its ranks.
Horner’s exit was preceded by a long line of high-ranking figures within the team seeking pastures new, with the likes of Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley finding employment elsewhere.
Before the race at Silverstone, Horner explained that Red Bull cannot rely on Verstappen’s presence forever.
“Well, of course, Max is a key part of our team and has been for pretty much ten years now,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“But one day, whether it’s the year after or the year after, there will be a day that there is no more Max.
“You always have to have that in mind, that the team always has to keep looking and investing in the future.
“Hopefully that won’t be for several years to come, but you never know.
“So, you’re always investing in young talent, you’re always giving opportunities like we did today with Arvid Lindblad, to see the next generation coming through.
“Because one thing for sure in this business, nothing stands still.”
Is Verstappen the ironic catalyst for Horner’s exit?
Many have speculated that perhaps, ironically, it is Verstappen’s camp that has been the cause for Horner’s exit.
A flurry of alleged contention between Horner and Verstappen’s father Jos has been longstanding, leading to further discussion as to who was responsible for the 51-year-old’s exit.
Speaking to Sky F1’s ‘The F1 Show’, Martin Brundle theorised that this is the most likely of possibilities.
“We don’t know what’s gone on behind closed doors, but I do know that Team Verstappen were not happy with him there,” he said.
“I don’t know, but what’s absolutely clear is that the Verstappen camp have been lobbing in hand grenades for quite some months now, and some of them have gone off, and it’s been pretty relentless in that respect.
“And I think at times, Max’s dad, Jos, has made it absolutely clear that he thinks Christian shouldn’t be leading the company and leading the team.
“So I would, yes, they played a key role in Christian’s exit.”
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