Ex-F1 Driver Reveals the Real Reason Why Christian Horner “Doesn’t Want to Return” as a Team Principal

Christian Horner suffered from a disappointing end to his Red Bull career after being brutally axed by the team. Horner served the team loyally for over two decades but was still unexpectedly removed.

Now, the Briton was rumored to be considering joining multiple teams, with Alpine and Ferrari seemingly leading the rumors. However, ex-F1 driver Martin Brundle boldly claims that the 51-year-old wouldn’t want to return to the sport as Team Principal anymore.

Christian Horner‘s axing came as a shock as Laurent Mekies took the reins at the Austrian outfit. The team started performing much better under the Frenchman, as even Max Verstappen was delighted at the changes.

Now, despite rumors of Horner considering a move to Alpine or some other constructor in a much bigger role than just a team principal, Martin Brundle firmly believes that this wouldn’t happen.

Martin Brundle initially applauded Laurent Mekies and his recent work within Red Bull. The Briton noted that the new team principal was handling the team’s situation in a very mature way.

Brundle boldly claimed that the Frenchman had a non-existent ego, which was a highly positive point. The 66-year-old reckoned that Milton Keynes was seeing a completely new type of team principal in Mekies, which was definitely a great thing.

As such, because of the team’s current resurgence and positive atmosphere, Brundle reckoned that Christian Horner wouldn’t want to return as a leader of a team anytime soon.

The 51-year-old has yet to comment on his plans post-exit from the Austrian constructor. The Briton recently fully exited the team after he received an astounding $100 million reported payout.

Very impressed and he’s handling it in a very mature way, Ego, absolutely non-existent. We’re seeing a new type of team principal these days, aren’t we? That’s why Christian wouldn’t want to come back as a team principal.

Martin Brundle said on the Sky F1 show.

Martin Brundle labels Laurent Mekies as ‘right man, right time’ at Red Bull

Laurent Mekies is certainly one of the better things that has happened to Red Bull. The team is now performing much better, and Max Verstappen has a realistic shot at winning the driver’s title. Speaking on the team’s chances to succeed in the upcoming season, Martin Brundle is optimistic and further applauded Mekies’ leadership of the Austrian constructor.

Martin Brundle pointed out that the 2026 season would probably be a collaboration on the driver choice in terms of car setup. The drivers would be listened to more, and the seniors would likely have a smaller say than ever before in the team’s operation, all because of Laurent Mekies’ way of leading.

As such, Brundle declared that the Frenchman was indeed the right man who joined Red Bull at the right time and was leading the team’s campaign very effectively.

I think it’ll be a collaboration on the [2026] driver choice, probably more so than in the past among the senior people in Red Bull, but I think he actually is the right man for the right time in Formula 1, and that’s the way it’s going.

Martin Brundle added

The 2025 season is near completion and just has four races left. While the constructors’ title is already won by McLaren, Red Bull can still improve their position in the pecking order.

The team will salvage all points possible and hope to end the season on a high note. It will be interesting to witness how the team performs under the new leadership of Laurent Mekies since the beginning of the 2026 season.

Read More: Martin Brundle Exposes the Race That “Scattered Oscar Piastri’s Brain” in 2025 Championship Chase

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