Toto Wolff Reveals First Text from Christian Horner After Brutal Red Bull Axe

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff recalled the text message he received from Christian Horner after the latter's exit from Red Bull.

Toto Wolff Reveals First Text from Christian Horner After Brutal Red Bull Axe

Christian Horner and Toto Wolff (via Motorsport Week)

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Red Bull shocked the Formula 1 paddock earlier this year when Team Principal Christian Horner was sacked from Milton Keynes. The Briton had led Red Bull Racing for over two decades, but was forced to vacate his role immediately. Now, Horner’s arch-nemesis Toto Wolff has revealed the first text he received from the 51-year-old after his exit.

The writing had been on the wall for Christian Horner for months before his exit. In early 2024, he was accused of inappropriate behavior. Despite being cleared of any wrongdoing, many people within the team wanted Christian Horner out, including Max Verstappen’s management. Verstappen’s father Jos Verstappen even claimed that Horner would tear the team apart.

Christian Horner managed to secure his spot till the start of 2025. However, Red Bull’s rapid decline in performance seemed to have been in the final nail in the coffin, as well as rumors of Verstappen joining Mercedes. Horner was sacked two days after the British GP, with Max Verstappen confirming his Red Bull stay days later.

Toto Wolff and Christian Horner would always be onto each other in the paddock. Their rivalry was particularly evident in Netflix’s Drive to Survive. Wolff revealed that Horner joked about what the Mercedes boss would do now that he is gone from the grid. A subtle banter over the Austrian billionaire’s tendency to attack the former Red Bull boss.

He said to me: ‘What are you doing now, because you love to hate me and I’m gone!’

Toto Wolff said, as quoted by MotorsportWeek

Does Toto Wolff miss Christian Horner?

Christian Horner and Toto Wolff were the longest-serving team bosses on the current grid. The former had led Red Bull since the start of the energy drinks giant’s journey in F1 in 2005. On the other hand, Wolff took the reigns at Mercedes in 2014. Now, after Horner’s exit, Wolff is the longest serving team principal in the paddock.

Toto Wolff and Christian Horner (via Red Bull)
Toto Wolff and Christian Horner (via Red Bull)

Toto Wolff pointed out that despite the exit, Christian Horner remains a well respected figure in Milton Keynes. He admitted that the two often had differences of opinion, but shared a respectful rivalry over the years. Toto Wolff hinted that he did miss Horner whenever he comes to the paddock and no longer finds the former Red Bull boss around.

Within the team, I think he was, to a certain degree, respected in Milton Keynes. But then we didn’t often have the same opinion or perspective. So, he’s been a wonderful, great enemy over the years. Am I missing him? It’s quite strange to come here, and Christian’s not going to be around. I mean, what are you doing with him not around? That’s a bit weird.

Toto Wolff added

Certainly, Christian Horner and Toto Wolff had their own infamous rivalry in F1. Unlike a rivalry between drivers, the two never missed a chance to get one-up against the other. Their fights played a role in helping Drive to Survive be a massive success globally. Now, without Horner, things look drastically differently on the grid, particularly for Wolff.

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