Hours after Christian Horner was dismissed from his role at Red Bull Racing, reports surfaced of a fierce disagreement involving Max Verstappen’s father at the British Grand Prix. The longstanding tension between Jos Verstappen and Horner, which has played out publicly over recent seasons, reached a boiling point amid frustrations over the team’s underwhelming race weekend.
Max Verstappen secured pole position at Silverstone but struggled during the race, ultimately finishing fifth. Throughout the event, Verstappen expressed dissatisfaction with the Red Bull car’s performance. This result, far below expectations, sparked a heated verbal clash after the race, witnessed by several onlookers.
Ralf Schumacher, commenting on the incident via the Boxengasse podcast, remarked,
“There was another argument or a heated exchange, at least visually and verbally between Jos Verstappen, Christian Horner, and the press officer. You could see that Jos was anything but happy with the situation.” —Ralf Schumacher
Schumacher further contextualized his opinion on the strained relationship between Jos Verstappen and Horner, adding,
“I understand it too. For me, Christian Horner is also a bit of a difficult person. I have to say that. He just failed to keep the team together well, which is not always easy, of course. But I also think his behavior now, I can only refer to myself, but he can’t really deal with criticism.” —Ralf Schumacher
Christian Horner’s Departure Marks End of a 20-Year Era at Red Bull
Red Bull Racing announced early Wednesday morning that Christian Horner has left the team after serving as its team principal since 2005. Horner’s tenure saw both tremendous successes and more recent challenges, with his leadership under scrutiny amid internal conflicts and a recent misconduct scandal involving a team member. His exit reflects growing unrest within the team, especially given their drop in form.
Following their dominance in previous years, Red Bull lost the constructors‘ championship last season to McLaren and currently lie fourth in the World Constructors’ Championship standings, accumulating 172 points. Notably, Max Verstappen alone has contributed 165 of those points, underscoring his importance to the team amidst the turmoil.
Speculation is rife about the future direction of both Horner and the Red Bull team. Meanwhile, rumors indicate that Mercedes may be preparing a significant bid worth €102 million to acquire Verstappen, suggesting further shifts in Formula 1 dynamics.
Max Verstappen’s Manager Addresses Team Changes and Future Outlook
Max Verstappen’s manager, Raymond Vermeulen, broke his silence regarding Horner’s departure. Referencing advance discussions with Red Bull management, Vermeulen emphasized a focus on maintaining competitive performance despite leadership upheavals.
He stated,
“We were informed in advance by Red Bull’s management that this decision had been made,” —Raymond Vermeulen
“It’s up to Red Bull to provide further explanation regarding the reasons. We continue to look at the sporting side and are looking for more performance so we can return to the top. In that regard, nothing will change.” —Raymond Vermeulen
While Verstappen himself has remained quiet on the issue, his manager’s words suggest a commitment to focus on racing results and team performance regardless of recent disruptions. This stance reflects ongoing efforts to stabilize the team’s outlook as they seek to reclaim their position at the summit of Formula 1 competition.
Implications of Turmoil on Red Bull’s Future and F1 Landscape
The clash between Jos Verstappen and Christian Horner, coupled with Horner’s exit, highlights deep-seated issues within Red Bull Racing’s management and team structure. The tension surrounding the Max Verstappen Red Bull conflict may trigger significant changes both on and off the track. With Mercedes reportedly eyeing Verstappen, the transfer market could witness one of the largest moves in recent history, influencing championship battles and team dynamics in upcoming seasons.
For Red Bull, addressing internal conflicts and rebuilding cohesiveness will be critical to regaining their competitive edge. For Horner, potential next steps remain unknown, feeding speculation about his future involvement in the sport either immediately or after a hiatus. The next few months are poised to redefine team hierarchies and driver allegiances within Formula 1.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Who is Max Verstappen’s baby daughter?
A. Max Verstappen has become a father. The 27-year-old Formula One driver and his girlfriend, Kelly Piquet, celebrated the birth of their first child, a daughter named Lily. They shared this happy news together on Instagram.
Q. Is Penelope not Max Verstappen’s daughter?
A. “She’s amazing.” In 2025, Penelope became a big sister when Piquet and Verstappen had their first baby together, a girl named Lily. From Penelope’s hobbies to her close relationship with Max Verstappen, here’s what you should know about Kelly Piquet’s daughter, Penelope.
Q. Who is Max Verstappen’s girlfriend’s baby daddy?
A. In July 2019, Piquet had a daughter named Penelope with Formula 1 driver Daniil Kvyat, who was her boyfriend then. The day after Penelope’s birth, Kvyat secured third place at the German Grand Prix, marking his first podium finish in three years. He dedicated this achievement to Piquet and their newborn daughter.
Q. Does Max Verstappen support LGBT?
A. Max expressed his thoughts clearly, stating he respects the LGBTQ+ community. However, he feels that every June, it turns into an agenda, not a movement. Eliza Burnett described this as a polite way to say it.