F1 Pundit Declares Red Bull ‘Parked’ Christian Horner on First Opportunity

Martin Brundle insisted that Red Bull's Austrian shareholders sacked Christian Horner as soon as they got the chance.

F1 Pundit Declares Red Bull ‘Parked’ Christian Horner on First Opportunity

Max Verstappen and Christian Horner (via Red Bull Content Pool)

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Red Bull Racing decided to sack Team Principal Christian Horner days after the British GP. The Briton had led Milton Keynes in Formula 1 for over two decades. However, the past year had been difficult for the 51-year-old. Now, F1 presenter Martin Brundle has claimed that the energy drinks giant was waiting for a chance to sack Horner.

There were rumors of tensions within the Austrian team ever since Christian Horner was accused of inappropriate behavior by a female employee last year. Though, the Briton was cleared of any wrongdoing, it created a rift not only with the Max Verstappen camp, but even with Austrian shareholders. However, the support of Thai co-owner Chalerm Yoovidhya allowed Christian Horner to remain at the team.

The fallout over Horner was part of a wider power struggle at Red Bull GmbH, the parent company of the racing team. The death of co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz destabilized the entire operations. Martin Brundle asserted that this created a vacuum at Milton Keynes too.

When Dietrich Mateschitz, the Red Bull company boss and co-owner, died in 2022, this left a significant vacuum, and like all vacuums it’s been filled by others with ambition, alternative ideas, and egos.

Martin Brundle wrote for Sky F1

Brundle reckoned that Christian Horner tried to gain full control of the team following Mateschitz’s death. The 51-year-old seemingly believed that he had built the team by himself and deserved to have complete authority. However, just days before Horner’s exit, Yoovidhya gave up on 2% of his stake, bringing him down to 49%, equal with Mark Mateschitz. This allowed the Mateschitz camp to swiftly fire the 51-year-old.

Christian wanted full control of what he felt he’d created, and in the best interests of the team in a fast-moving highly specialised business. I rather suspect he overplayed his hand, and once the support of the 51 per cent shareholders Yoovidhya family fell away in the bigger picture, Red Bull Austria HQ parked Christian at the first opportunity.

Martin Brundle explained

Nico Rosberg outlines ‘great’ future for Christian Horner

Christian Horner is now without a job. The Briton’s efforts speak for themselves. In the past two decades, he transformed Milton Keynes into a dominant force in Formula 1. While there are no concrete reports over Horner’s future on the grid, 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg has one team in mind.

Flavio Briatore and Christian Horner
Flavio Briatore and Christian Horner (via Getty images)

Rosberg highlighted that Alpine could be the ideal destination for Christian Horner’s post-Red Bull future. The German asserted that the 51-year-old has good relations with Alpine chief Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone. This could allow Horner to gain a good deal with the Enstone squad, potentially including an ownership stake. So much so, Nico Rosberg reckoned that this could be a great story in the future.

I think Alpine could make a lot of sense. (He could) get a couple of percent in a team with Bernie, with the Briatore as the chairman and he’s then CEO. I think that could make a lot of sense. I think that would be a great story.

Nico Rosberg told Sky F1

Christian Horner has remained silent ever since he was removed from Red Bull Racing. The Briton has not made comments in public except for a farewell speech for his staff at Milton Keynes. The 51-year-old was reportedly devastated to have lost his role at the Austrian team. Though, Horner is a passionate racer who can never stay away from the thrill of Formula 1. Thus, fans should not be surprised if they see the Briton make a return to the paddock soon.

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