Juan Pablo Montoya, former McLaren driver, has pointed out a pressing Max Verstappen Red Bull question following the sudden firing of team principal Christian Horner. Montoya highlighted that the real mystery lies in whether Horner’s departure signals Verstappen’s imminent exit or if it was a move meant to convince the champion to remain with the team. This development comes amid a turbulent period for Red Bull Racing, where internal conflicts and declining performance have taken center stage.
The turmoil at Red Bull traces back to early 2024, when controversies involving Horner first surfaced publicly. Since that time, the team has been mired in intense internal politics that seemingly aimed to remove Horner from his leadership role. Despite surviving these early storms in 2024, Red Bull’s competitive edge continued to fade throughout 2025, with Verstappen increasingly distanced from a title fight as the season passed its midpoint.
Amid these challenging circumstances, Red Bull’s board decided to relieve Horner of his duties with immediate effect. However, the reasoning behind this decisive action remains unclear, spawning a variety of speculations about the true motives at play behind the scenes.
Montoya’s Reflections on the Implications of Horner’s Dismissal
Speaking exclusively to BetVictor Casino, Montoya expressed his surprise at Horner’s removal and raised questions about what the decision truly means for Verstappen and Red Bull’s future. Montoya observed,
“I think Christian Horner’s sacking has surprised everybody. There has been talk for the last year and a half about them possibly wanting Horner out, because of all the drama happening internally at Red Bull. I think there are going to be a lot of changes in Red Bull, they need a lot of changes.” —Juan Pablo Montoya, Former F1 Driver
He further emphasized the core uncertainty that fans and insiders alike are grappling with, stating,
“The million-dollar question is, have Red Bull got rid of Horner because Max Verstappen is leaving, or did they get rid of Horner to prevent Max from leaving? That’s what everyone will be wondering about for the next few weeks or months until we know what happens with Max. Overall, I think the sacking has a lot to do with Max leaving Red Bull. Whether it’s about Max staying or leaving, that will be the big question mark everyone is wondering about.” —Juan Pablo Montoya, Former F1 Driver
Evaluating Whether Horner’s Removal Was Necessary
Montoya continued by giving his opinion on the decision’s merit, arguing that Red Bull’s challenging situation called for significant changes in leadership. After experiencing a sharp drop from its dominant 2023 form, when it swept nearly every title, the team’s prospects in 2025 appear bleak, with Verstappen no longer in strong contention for the championship crown.
Highlighting the technical difficulties Red Bull faces, Montoya remarked,
“With how hard the Red Bull car is to drive, they need to rebuild their team. Adrian Newey has left, and they need a new structure to be put in place. In the long term, Red Bull will be okay, but in the short term, they’re going to struggle to put everything in place and hire the right people.” —Juan Pablo Montoya, Former F1 Driver
He also expressed sympathy for Horner, whose contributions to Red Bull have been significant over the years, adding,
“It’s going to be exciting from the outside to see what happens at Red Bull. I do feel sorry for Christian because of everything he’s done for the team. Everything happens for a reason and we’ll see what happens.” —Juan Pablo Montoya, Former F1 Driver
New Leadership and the Road Ahead for Red Bull
Christian Horner has been succeeded by Laurent Mekies, a figure Horner had previously introduced to Red Bull from Ferrari during his tenure at the Racing Bulls program. Mekies now faces the challenge of navigating Red Bull through a difficult phase marked by instability and unmet expectations.
The transition in leadership arrives at a critical time, with Red Bull needing to redefine its internal structure and find stability to regain its championship-winning form. As the season progresses, the broader question looming over the team is whether this shake-up will influence Verstappen’s loyalty or signal his departure from the team.
Ultimately, the firing of Horner reflects not only Red Bull’s internal struggles but also the stakes involved in keeping a driver of Verstappen’s caliber. The unfolding months will be crucial in revealing whether this leadership change strengthens the team’s future or marks the beginning of a new era heralded by Verstappen’s potential exit.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What gender is Max Verstappen’s baby?
A. Verstappen and Piquet have shared the news of their baby girl, Lily, arriving. They had announced the pregnancy before the 2024 season’s last race in Abu Dhabi. Lily now joins Piquet’s older daughter, Penelope, as her sister.
Q. Is Penelope not Max Verstappen’s daughter?
A. Kelly Piquet, daughter of ex-world champion Nelson Piquet, is Verstappen’s partner. She has a daughter, Penelope, with former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat. Verstappen has developed a strong bond with Penelope and mentioned this when asked if being a dad would affect his racing performance.