BREAKING; Christian Horner Absence at 2025 Italian GP Confirmed as Red Bull…read more
Christian Horner to Miss 2025 Italian GP as Red Bull Reaffirms Support Amid Season Turmoil
Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner will not be present at the upcoming 2025 Italian Grand Prix at Imola, but the team has reiterated its full backing of the long-serving boss despite mounting scrutiny over the squad’s faltering form. Horner’s absence officially attributed to personal reasons comes amid a wave of rumors and growing internal frustration over Red Bull’s performance slump this season. However, sources close to the team have confirmed that Horner remains under contract until the end of the decade and that no leadership change is being considered.
The decision to keep faith in Horner underscores Red Bull’s commitment to stability during a time of unprecedented competition. McLaren has stormed to the front of the grid in 2025, winning five of the first six races and establishing a firm grip on both championships. Red Bull, meanwhile, has only managed a single victory—secured by Max Verstappen in Japan—while struggling with balance and performance issues in nearly every other race. Verstappen currently sits third in the drivers’ standings, 32 points behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
Verstappen and Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko have both publicly voiced concerns about the development direction of the RB21, with Marko hinting at dissatisfaction during post-race debriefs. These statements have only fueled speculation that Red Bull could be preparing to part ways with Horner, particularly in light of recent reports suggesting possible replacements such as Franz Tost or Oliver Oakes. However, Red Bull insiders have dismissed such claims as unfounded and emphasized that the team has no plans to initiate a change in leadership.
Despite current struggles, Horner’s legacy remains deeply ingrained in the team’s DNA. Having led Red Bull Racing since its debut in 2005, Horner has guided the outfit to remarkable heights—eight drivers’ championships and six constructors’ titles—cementing his reputation as one of Formula 1’s most successful and enduring team principals. His absence at Imola will mark a rare occasion where he is not on the pit wall, and his responsibilities will be temporarily handled by senior engineers and sporting directors on-site.
Horner’s leadership was tested last year when he was cleared of misconduct allegations that initially caused tension between him and key figures within the team, including Verstappen’s father, Jos, and Marko. While the internal probe ultimately found no wrongdoing, the episode sparked concerns about long-term cohesion within the Red Bull camp. Still, the team rallied in the second half of 2024 to deliver Verstappen his fourth straight title, appearing to put the controversy behind them.
The 2025 campaign, however, has proven more challenging. At the recent Miami Grand Prix, Red Bull’s deficit to McLaren was on full display as Verstappen trailed Lando Norris by over 30 seconds despite finishing second. The aerodynamic efficiency and tire management of McLaren’s MCL40 have consistently outperformed Red Bull’s RB21, raising alarm bells ahead of the sport’s crucial European swing.
As Red Bull prepares for its milestone 400th Grand Prix at Imola, the team is looking to stabilize and regain momentum. Horner’s temporary absence will inevitably draw attention, but the message from Milton Keynes is resolute: he remains the leader they trust to guide Red Bull through its current turbulence.
With the development race heating up and rivals pressing harder than ever, Red Bull’s faith in continuity and Horner’s experience could prove pivotal in the quest to reclaim their place at the top of the Formula 1 grid.
