Following the announcement of Christian Horner’s dismissal, Max Verstappen conveyed his appreciation to his former Formula 1 team leader for the achievements they shared over the years.
The squad communicated on Wednesday that Horner, who has been at the helm of Red Bull Racing for two decades, was relieved of his position.
Verstappen, who has secured four world championship titles, expressed his sentiments in a brief social media update: “From my initial triumph in a race to securing four world championships, we’ve enjoyed some truly remarkable successes together.
“Achieving victories in unforgettable races and setting new records on numerous occasions. Thank you for everything, Christian!”
Horner’s departure comes amidst ongoing discussions about Verstappen potentially leaving Red Bull prior to the expiration of his contract in 2028.
During the team’s home event, the Austrian Grand Prix, reports surfaced suggesting that Mercedes was keen on acquiring Verstappen, and a clause linked to performance could enable the 27-year-old to depart before his contract concludes.
However, Verstappen remained tight-lipped on the matter when questioned by reporters at the recent British Grand Prix.
According to sources within ESPN, the atmosphere within Red Bull has become increasingly strained due to a decline in performance on the track, uncertainties surrounding Verstappen’s future with the team, and internal disagreements.
Verstappen has also openly voiced his concerns regarding the car’s issues, as the reigning champion currently holds the third position in the drivers’ championship standings, trailing McLaren’s leader, Oscar Piastri, by 69 points.
Verstappen became a member of Red Bull’s sister team, Toro Rosso, in 2015 at the age of 17, making him the youngest competitor in F1 history. After making the move to Red Bull in 2016, he secured his first victory at 18, becoming F1’s youngest race victor.
The Dutch driver claimed all four of his world titles while with the team, and he holds records for the highest number of race wins in a single season (19), the most consecutive race wins (10), and the most points accumulated in a season (575), along with records at various individual grand prix events.
Red Bull has secured eight drivers’ championships and six constructors’ titles during Horner’s time as team principal.
The team will be under new leadership for the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix, with Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies stepping into Horner’s role, while engineer Alan Permane will assume control of Racing Bulls.
Red Bull currently occupies the fourth spot in the constructors’ championship after 12 races. They haven’t finished outside the top four since achieving a seventh-place finish in 2008.
This report includes contributions from ESPN’s Nate Saunders and ESPN Sports Research.
Source: https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/45702195/verstappen-horner-thanks-everything
