Formula 1 Rumor: The real reason Christian Horner was fired

While the Formula 1 media continues to speculate on why Red Bull terminated Christian Horner’s employment last week, we may have just learned the real reason.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Some speculate Horner was fired because of the flirting he was doing with a Red Bull female staff member

Some speculate Horner was fired because he last Rob Marshall, who is now over at McLaren designing the best car in F1.

Some speculate Horner was fired because he lost Adrian Newey to Aston Martin, one of the greatest F1 designers of all time.

Some speculate Horner was fired because he was a control freak and simply had too much power over all things Red Bull – the team, the communications, the design office, the at-track race team, and the engine department.

Some think Horner was fired because he clashed with Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko and snunted his power.

Some speculate Horner was fired because he was being paid too much money and Red Bull simply could no longer justify his salary given the team’s performance.

Some speculate Horner was fired because Max Verstappen’s father Jos hated Horner.

Some speculate Horner was fired because he lost Jonathan Wheatley to Alpine.

Some speculate Horner was fired because he re-signed the underperforming Sergio Perez and then had to pay him a huge severance when he fired him months later.

Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner and Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing talk in the garage during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar at Lusail International Circuit on November 29, 2024 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

The real reason – the straw that broke the camel’s back

Our theory – Horner was fired because, after losing Marshall, Newey, Wheatey and all the other reasons noted above, the Verstappen camp has informed Red Bull management that Max Verstappen will be leaving the Red Bull team.

If our theory is correct, that was the final straw that broke the camel’s back – without Max Verstappen, the Red Bull team will be a F1 backmarker, and Red Bull brass could no longer justify keeping Horner. Hence why he was fired mid-season unexpectedly.

What was said, and what we’ve heard, on the Sunday [at the British Grand Prix], the head of communications for Red Bull Racing was shouting at Jos Verstappen. Did he just learn that Max was leaving the team?