The departure of Christian Horner from Red Bull Racing last summer marked the end of an era for the Austrian squad, yet the bond between the former team principal and four-time world champion Max Verstappen remains unbroken. The Dutchman has revealed that he continues to communicate with Horner on a daily basis throughout every race weekend, maintaining a connection forged through years of unprecedented success and hard-fought battles at the pinnacle of motorsport.
Horner’s Red Bull legacy ends after two decades
Christian Horner stood at the helm of Red Bull Racing since its inception, establishing himself as one of Formula 1’s most enduring and successful team leaders. Under his stewardship, the Milton Keynes-based operation claimed eight drivers’ championships and six constructors’ titles across two decades of competition. The trophy haul included four consecutive titles with Sebastian Vettel between 2010 and 2013, followed by another four with Verstappen’s dominant run from 2021 through 2024.
Despite this remarkable track record, Red Bull’s ownership made the decision to replace Horner with Laurent Mekies in July of last year. The Frenchman received a promotion from his role at sister team Racing Bulls, stepping into the leadership void left by Horner’s exit. The energy drinks manufacturer provided the British team principal with a severance package reportedly worth tens of millions of euros upon his September departure.
Performance concerns trigger management reshuffle
Verstappen acknowledged the context surrounding Horner’s removal when speaking on the Viaplay programme Gemaximaliseerd. The reigning world champion pointed to internal challenges that preceded the management shake-up at Red Bull Racing.
“I must say that things weren’t running smoothly at the team in terms of results. There was obviously a bit of unrest within the team,” Verstappen explained. “When it doesn’t go well for a longer period, the shareholders want change. They obviously didn’t like it either. In the end, they made the choice to implement a change and push Laurent forward.”
The relative underperformance that prompted Red Bull’s shareholders to act represented a stark departure from the team’s customary standards. For an organisation accustomed to fighting at the front of the grid, any dip in competitive form carries magnified significance in the pressurised environment of Formula 1’s top tier.
Verstappen reflects on unbreakable partnership
The Dutchman made clear that the decision to replace Horner created genuine difficulty given their shared history. Verstappen spoke candidly about the personal dimension of his working relationship with the man who guided him to four world titles.
“It’s difficult, because I built a bond with Christian. We achieved so much together. Especially the moments from 2021 you never forget. Christian went through fire for me,” Verstappen stated, referencing the intense championship battle that delivered his maiden world title in controversial circumstances at Abu Dhabi.
That 2021 season forged an indelible connection between driver and team principal, one that evidently transcends organisational restructuring and employment status. The pressure-cooker environment of that year’s title fight, which went down to the final lap of the final race, created a foundation of mutual trust and respect that continues to endure.
Daily communication continues through race weekends
Perhaps most remarkably, Verstappen disclosed that his contact with Horner has maintained a consistent pattern throughout every race weekend despite the latter’s exit from Red Bull Racing. The four-time champion described a routine that has continued uninterrupted even after the management change.
“It’s difficult when you still talk to each other on the phone,” Verstappen revealed. “Every week, every race I have contact with him on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It’s usually texting. But that also happens on holiday, every week. He obviously knows everyone in a team, but it’s more about ‘I wish you good luck’ or ‘I believe in you’ or ‘I’m your biggest fan’. We also talk about things other than racing. Every race weekend is like that, even after his dismissal.”
The nature of these exchanges suggests a relationship that has evolved beyond the strictly professional parameters of team principal and driver. Horner’s messages of encouragement and support indicate a personal investment in Verstappen’s continued success that extends beyond his former official capacity within the organisation.
What this means for Verstappen’s future
The revelation of ongoing daily contact between Verstappen and Horner provides insight into the human relationships that underpin Formula 1’s corporate structures. While Red Bull Racing moves forward under new leadership with Laurent Mekies, the champion driver maintains the personal connections that helped define his most successful years. This continuity may provide Verstappen with valuable stability amid the natural evolution of team dynamics, even as Red Bull navigates fresh challenges in an increasingly competitive field. The enduring partnership between driver and former team boss demonstrates that the bonds created through shared triumph in motorsport can outlast organisational change.
