Ex-F1 Driver Labels Christian Horner’s Exit an ‘Extraordinary Move’ by Red Bull Amid Max Verstappen Rumors

Ralf Schumacher asserted that Max Verstappen and Red Bull seem rejuvenated following Christian Horner's sacking from the team.

Ex-F1 Driver Labels Christian Horner’s Exit an ‘Extraordinary Move’ by Red Bull Amid Max Verstappen Rumors

Christian Horner and Max Verstappen (via Total Motorsport)

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Red Bull Racing shocked the sporting world by sacking team boss Christian Horner after the British GP. The Briton was fired at a time when the team was going through turmoil with rumors over Max Verstappen wanting to join a rival squad like Mercedes. The Austrian team kickstarted its new era with Laurent Mekies at the helm at the Belgian GP. Now, former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher has asserted that replacing Horner was the right call.

The energy drinks giant did not have the worst of weekends at Spa-Francorchamps. Max Verstappen managed to outdrive the car to win the Sprint race on Saturday, a victory that surprised many in the paddock. Though, the Dutchman failed to carry this momentum later on, with an underwhelming run in the main race.

Though, according to Ralf Schumacher, there were plenty of changes at Red Bull during the weekend, the team’s first ever race without Christian Horner.

The German asserted that hiring Mekies in place of Horner was nothing short of an extraordinary move made by the parent company. Schumacher pointed out that Christian Horner’s exit had transformed the team’s morale instantly. So much so, he claimed that the mood within the garage was much better now, including that of Max Verstappen.

I think Red Bull has made an extraordinarily good move, in this case from Oliver Mintzlaff and Mark Mateschitz, by bringing Mekies into this position now. It has triggered something within the team, and that has done something to the team. You can hear that the mood is very different in such a short time. The approach is different. And you have to remember that Max Verstappen has never been on another team in his career. He owes everything to Red Bull. So he makes it anything but easy for himself.

Ralf Schumacher said on Backstage Boxengasse podcast

Max Verstappen to stay at Red Bull after Christian Horner’s exit

Max Verstappen’s future at Milton Keynes remained uncertain for the past few months. The reigning world champion was rumored to be in talks with Mercedes for a switch next season. It seemed that Verstappen had lost faith in Red Bull, with reports emerging that he wanted Christian Horner gone from the team entirely.

Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)
Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)

Ralf Schumacher highlighted that Max Verstappen had a special bond with Red Bull, having raced only as a Red Bull driver throughout his F1 career. As such, the 27-year-old didn’t actually want to join a rival team. Horner’s exit and the change of morale at Milton Keynes could now allow Verstappen to continue with the team for the near future. After all, one of the reasons he wanted to join Mercedes was because of the change in the internal atmosphere.

Maybe he [Max Verstappen] doesn’t necessarily want to leave either. And I can imagine that if everything is fine here, he asks himself: Why should I leave? I don’t think that was entirely his wish. It only led to it because the car was no longer working so well. There were problems, and internally, the atmosphere was suddenly not so good.

Ralf Schumacher explained

Certainly, Red Bull needed Christian Horner gone from the team to make a fresh start. It is now time for Laurent Mekies to get the house back in order and keep Max Verstappen happy. The reigning world champion is the biggest asset for Milton Keynes, and he must be retained for next season at all costs. Following the change of mood within Red Bull, it seems that Verstappen is planning to stay with the energy drinks giant for next season.

Read More: “It’s Just Stupidity,” George Russell Hits out at Max Verstappen’s Demands for Wet Race at Belgian GP