Breaking news:Horner’s Surprising Admission as Red Bull Prepares…read more
Horner’s Surprising Admission as Red Bull Prepares…read more
Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull Racing, has made a stunning revelation regarding the upcoming departures within his team. As Red Bull gears up for a transformative phase in Formula 1, significant changes are on the horizon, both in terms of personnel and technical partnerships. While the team has enjoyed immense success in recent years, the 2025 and 2026 seasons will bring a host of changes that will shape the team’s future.
One of the most notable shifts for Red Bull will be in their driver lineup. For 2025, Red Bull made the bold decision to part ways with their long-time driver, Sergio Perez, who had struggled to match the performance of his teammate, Max Verstappen, on a consistent basis. In response, the team promoted their promising junior driver, Liam Lawson, to take on a race seat with the main team in 2025. Lawson’s promotion is part of Red Bull’s strategy to further improve their chances for success in the years to come.
However, the change in driver lineup is only part of the equation. Red Bull will also face the end of their long-standing partnership with Honda. The two parties have worked together since 2019, achieving remarkable success, including multiple championships. But in 2025, Honda’s involvement in the team will officially come to an end, and the team will have to adapt to new power unit suppliers for future seasons.
In addition to changes in drivers and technical partnerships, Red Bull will also undergo a significant shake-up in its leadership. The team is set to lose several key personnel, most notably technical chief Adrian Newey and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley. Both have been instrumental in Red Bull’s dominance in recent years, and their departures will undoubtedly be felt within the organization.
Wheatley’s move is particularly noteworthy. After being an integral part of Red Bull for many years, he has been offered the role of team principal for Audi’s Formula 1 project, set to launch in 2026. However, Wheatley has entered a period of gardening leave, meaning he is not yet allowed to officially work for Sauber, the team that will transition into Audi in 2026. This has led to speculation about how Red Bull will manage the transition and whether they will promote from within or bring in fresh talent to fill Wheatley’s shoes.
In an unexpected twist, Christian Horner has revealed that he actually encouraged Wheatley to pursue the opportunity with Audi. Despite Wheatley’s crucial role within Red Bull, Horner expressed his belief that the move would be a fantastic career opportunity for his colleague. According to Horner, the role of team principal varies greatly between teams, with the most significant focus being on trackside operations. This dynamic could change significantly at Audi, especially with the team’s new direction under former Ferrari technical director Mattia Binotto.
Horner’s comments reflect a sense of support and optimism for Wheatley’s future, despite the potential disruption to Red Bull’s structure. The Red Bull team principal admitted that Wheatley had been eyeing a move for some time, and when the opportunity with Audi came up, Horner saw it as a logical next step in Wheatley’s career. “I’m sure he’ll be an asset to Sauber,” Horner said, referring to Wheatley’s future role with Audi’s F1 project.
Horner continued by emphasizing that Wheatley’s departure would open up opportunities for other talent within the team, allowing Red Bull to promote from within. This is a positive outlook, as it suggests that Red Bull is focusing on internal growth and development, even as they face the challenge of replacing a key figure. Horner also expressed his full support for Wheatley’s decision, telling him, “You’ll regret it if you don’t” take the opportunity.
This supportive attitude is in stark contrast to the often cutthroat nature of Formula 1, where team principals and other key personnel rarely openly encourage colleagues to leave. However, Horner’s stance reflects a broader sense of long-term planning and mutual respect within the Red Bull organization, despite the impending changes.
With these departures and the evolving structure of Red Bull Racing, the team will undoubtedly look to the future with new talent and strategies. The changes set to unfold in 2025 and beyond will provide a new set of challenges for Horner and the team, but it seems they are preparing for these transitions with a clear focus on maintaining their competitive edge.
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