Breaking: Max Verstappen responds to Christian Horner exit R….read more

Max Verstappen responds to Christian Horner exit R….read more 

Max Verstappen has dismissed recent speculation suggesting that Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner could be at risk of losing his job if the team’s performance doesn’t improve at the upcoming Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola. The rumour, originating from a report in the Italian publication AutoSprint, implies that Horner’s position may be in jeopardy if Red Bull’s latest upgrade package fails to bridge the performance gap to rivals like McLaren.

The report hints that Horner’s future within the team might depend on how well Red Bull performs this weekend. It specifically suggests that the Thai ownership group of Red Bull GmbH, led by Chalerm Yoovidhya, could withdraw its backing for Horner should the new technical developments not deliver the expected on-track results. The Thai stakeholders are said to be concerned with the team’s recent relative drop in competitiveness, which has seen McLaren and Ferrari close the gap to the dominant outfit.

However, sources with direct knowledge of the internal situation at Red Bull have quickly refuted the claims. Speaking to PlanetF1.com, these sources stated that there is no credibility to the rumour and insisted that the Red Bull shareholders remain supportive of Horner despite the current form fluctuations. They emphasized that a short-term decline in competitiveness is not unusual in Formula 1 and does not constitute a crisis for a team that has dominated the sport in recent seasons.

Max Verstappen, the reigning World Champion and Red Bull’s star driver, responded to the rumours by scoffing at the idea that Horner’s role could be under threat. Verstappen’s reaction reflects the broader sentiment within the team, where Horner is still regarded as a central and influential figure. Having been at the helm of Red Bull Racing since its inception in 2005, Horner has overseen numerous championship wins and remains one of the longest-serving and most successful team principals in the sport’s history.

In addition, it’s worth noting that Horner has a long-term contract in place with Red Bull that extends until the end of the 2030 Formula 1 season, further underlining the team’s commitment to him. While recent races have seen intensified competition from rival teams, the idea that one race performance—regardless of its outcome—could determine Horner’s job security appears to be unfounded.

In conclusion, while Red Bull’s performance at Imola will certainly be closely watched, there is currently no credible evidence to suggest that Christian Horner’s position as team principal is under any immediate threat.