Mintzlaff defends Horner exit, plays down Verstappen clause

(GMM) Red Bull chief executive Oliver Mintzlaff (pictured with Helmut Marko) has strongly defended the decision to part ways with Christian Horner, insisting the team had no choice but to “turn the page” – while also dismissing suggestions that Max Verstappen holds undue power within the organization.

Speaking to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Mintzlaff said the Horner decision was not taken lightly.

“We knew we had to do something,” Mintzlaff explained. “I’m not just a manager who hires and fires people. You can’t keep relying on the past, and we felt it was time to start a new chapter. It wasn’t easy, but we didn’t take it lightly either.”

The German executive acknowledged that the atmosphere inside Red Bull Racing had become strained, but argued that refocusing delivered immediate benefits on track.

Oliver Mintzlaff, Managing director of Red Bull GmbH, Christian Horner, Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing and Dr Helmut Marko, Team Consultant of Oracle Red Bull Racing talk in the Paddock during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia at Jeddah Corniche Circuit on April 18, 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool //

“It was an open secret that too much was going on within the team,” he said. “In recent months we saw that performance improved when everyone was 100 percent focused. Max even came close to winning the title and won more races than anyone else.”

Mintzlaff declined to be drawn into Dr Helmut Marko’s recent criticism of Horner, stressing that those comments were personal to the Austrian.

“Those words are Helmut’s responsibility,” he said. “I can’t say anything negative about Christian. He has meant so much to Red Bull. Things change in a company – sometimes you need that to shake things up.”

Amid persistent speculation over Max Verstappen’s contract and potential performance clauses, Mintzlaff was unequivocal.

“I’m not afraid of any clauses,” he said. “The most important thing for an athlete is to see the whole team giving everything. I think Max is impressed with how the results and atmosphere have come together.”

Mintzlaff went further, predicting a lifetime association between Red Bull and the four-time world champion Max Verstappen.

“I feel enormous appreciation and loyalty on both sides. I have no doubt Max will finish his career at Red Bull,” he insisted. “He’s not a diva. If he ever stops driving – and I hope that’s not soon – I hope he stays with us in another role.”

He also rejected claims that Verstappen effectively runs the team.

“That’s bullsh*t,” Mintzlaff said bluntly. “He has never submitted a single demand to me. Yes, he’s clear about what he wants in the car – and he’s allowed to be, because he’s the best driver in the world. But there’s only one boss here, and that’s the can we’re selling.”

Looking ahead to the new regulations, Mintzlaff admitted uncertainty remains – especially because of the new in-house Red Bull-Ford project.

“Nobody knows where we’ll be – maybe second or third,” he said. “It’s not just about the engine, but also the chassis.”

He nevertheless expressed confidence in Red Bull’s engine project, paying tribute to Horner’s role in assembling the program before his demise.

“I remember Dietrich Mateschitz telling me we’d build our own engine, and I thought ‘what does that mean?'” Mintzlaff recalled. “Now it’s almost there. Christian deserves compliments for finding the right people. I hope we can still make Dietrich’s big dream come true.”

Mintzlaff closed on an optimistic note, highlighting Red Bull’s two-team structure and youth pipeline heading into the new era.

“We will win again and write new success stories,” he said. “That’s what Red Bull is about.”