Max Verstappen Reveals Secret Contact with Sacked Red Bull Boss Christian Horner

Red Bull suffered from multiple ups and downs in the 2025 season. The team was unable to keep up with their dominant performance in the ground-effect era. Though Max Verstappen tried to keep up with impressive results, Milton Keynes’ condition worsened under Christian Horner.

Following Horner’s firing, the team started performing much better. Now, Verstappen reveals if he is still in contact with the Englishman or not following his sudden dismissal.

Christian Horner served Red Bull loyally for over 20 years before being fired from the squad. Horner’s problematic personal life and the power struggle in the team with Helmut Marko reportedly led to his exit. Even Marko left the Austrian constructor following the culmination of the 2025 season. Despite the 52-year-old’s disappointing exit, Max Verstappen did not cut all ties with the former.

Christian Horner was one of the many people who fully believed in Max Verstappen and his capabilities to perform well at Red Bull. The Briton favored Verstappen in more ways than one, even to extents that caused the second driver to suffer a woeful time in the team. Now, the Dutchman revealed that Horner contacted him before every race.

Max Verstappen pointed out that Christian Horner texted him throughout the race weekend without fail. The Dutchman continued that Horner knew everyone in the team very well, especially after serving the team for two decades.

As such, he texted Verstappen and wished him the best during races, and even told him that he was his biggest fan. Further, the four-time champion highlighted that he talked with the 52-year-old about other things as well, and not purely Formula 1.

Every week, every race. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday and usually via text message. But also on holiday, for example. Every week. Of course he knows everyone in the team, but it’s more about ‘I wish you good luck’ and ‘I believe in you’ – biggest fan.You know, all that kind of stuff and outside of that, of course, you talk about things other than racing too. Yes, every week. Every race weekend. Even after his contact.

Max Verstappen told Viaplay.

Max Verstappen claims ‘Red Bull style lost’ under Christian Horner

Though Christian Horner was one of the crucial people who led Red Bull to their modern-day success in Formula 1, the team was suffering from massive problems in recent years. The team was unable to succeed with their second driver.

Even Max Verstappen was unable to keep up with his race-winning pace following Horner’s final years at Red Bull. As such, Verstappen noted that the squad’s conditions were much better now under Laurent Mekies as compared to before.

Despite the great bond between Max Verstappen and Christian Horner, the former does not lose sight of reality. He insisted that Red Bull was now doing better in terms of performance.

Milton Keynes had a lot more confidence than before, and everyone in the squad was happy and satisfied. Verstappen insisted that such a positive atmosphere was missing some time ago, as Red Bull’s old style was lost within the constructor.

The team is doing well, We have a lot of confidence. You see people smiling, it’s a nice environment, everyone gets along well and we missed that at one point. The Red Bull style was a bit lost or gone. Yes, and that has definitely returned.

Max Verstappen noted.

The 2026 season will introduce new regulations that might cause problems for Red Bull in terms of performance. The team’s partnership with Ford for the Red Bull power trains could be a massive challenge for the team. Despite the upcoming uncertainties, Max Verstappen will definitely give it his all and keep performing well, defying all odds.

Read More: Oscar Piastri Delivers Honest Verdict After “Rollercoaster” 2025 Season

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Join our newsletter to receive exclusive updates and curated insights directly to your inbox.

Subscribe NOW