Christian Horner has revealed a supposed dramatic betrayal that led to his acrimonious departure from Red Bull Racing last season.
Team Principal of Red Bull Racing from its inception in 2005 to mid 2024, Horner became synonymous with the Formula 1 team’s success.
But his tenure at the outfit came with a significant requirement that he had overall control in decision-making, down to the communications strategy.
The death of Red Bull’s owner, Dietrich Mateschitz, in 2022, served as the catalyst for an internal power struggle that ultimately led to his departure last season, accusations of inappropriate behaviour towards a female employee expediting the process.
Rumours swirled of a fallout between Max Verstappen and Horner, but the Briton has confirmed that his start driver played no part in his acrimonious departure.
He’s been outspoken about me, but I don’t believe the Verstappens were responsible in any way,” he said on Netflix’s Drive to Survive.
Betrayal from another close ally for Christian Horner?
Horner confirmed that while Red Bull parent company Managing Director Oliver Mintzlaff swung the axe, it was another close ally that aided his downfall, adding to the sense of the betrayal.
“I think this was a decision that was made by Oliver Mintzlaff, with Helmut [Marko] advising from the sideline,” said Horner.
The Briton recognised a shift in allegiances after Mateschitz’s death, the parent company now wanting more of a controlling stake in the team.
“Ultimately, things changed within the business, within the group, when the founder died,” he said.
“After Dietrich’s death, I think probably I was deemed to have, maybe, too much control.”
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