Lewis Hamilton has responded to the sudden removal of Christian Horner as Red Bull Racing’s Team Principal and CEO on July 9, shortly after the British Grand Prix. The unexpected decision ended Horner’s 20-year tenure, stirring mixed emotions within the Formula 1 community, including from Hamilton himself.
Red Bull’s announcement gave no official reasons for the change, but multiple factors reportedly contributed, such as tensions within the driver lineup, internal political struggles, and a noticeable decline in team performance over the last eighteen months. In Horner’s place, former Racing Bulls Team Principal Laurent Mekies has been promoted to CEO, marking a significant shift in Red Bull’s leadership.
Having faced intense championship battles against Red Bull driver Max Verstappen during his time at Mercedes, Hamilton recently addressed Horner’s departure ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix. When asked about the news, Hamilton expressed an ambivalent reaction, emphasizing his focus on his own racing and lifestyle away from the track.
“When there’s no race weekend, I disconnect. I wasn’t surprised, nor the opposite,” the Ferrari driver said via SoyMotor. “I was doing my own thing.”
Horner’s leadership had come under serious scrutiny earlier this year after allegations of inappropriate behavior by a female staff member surfaced before the 2024 season began. Hamilton called the situation overshadowing Formula 1 “disappointing” and urged for transparency during that period. Although Red Bull’s internal investigation led to the dismissal of the case, the controversy nonetheless appeared to take a toll on the team’s stability and public image.
Possible Consequences for Ferrari and Hamilton if Horner Joins Scuderia
Following Horner’s exit from Red Bull, rumors circulated about a potential move to Ferrari as replacements for current Team Principal Frederic Vasseur. However, prominent F1 journalist Will Buxton dismissed the idea, highlighting the close relationship between Hamilton and Vasseur. Buxton suggested that such a leadership change could risk Hamilton’s future with Ferrari.
“Lewis adores that man and has absolute faith in Fred Vasseur. If they replaced Fred with Christian Horner, I don’t think Lewis would be a Ferrari driver for much longer,” Buxton said via Motorsport.
Vasseur’s role at Ferrari has been under review as the team seeks improvements ahead of the 2026 season. This current campaign has been challenging for Ferrari, with both Lewis Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc struggling to get the most out of the SF-25 car. Although race pace has been somewhat competitive, qualifying sessions have frequently left the team at a disadvantage.
At the recent British GP, Hamilton failed to reach the podium for the first time in over ten years at his home race, underscoring the tough campaign he and the team face. To address performance issues, Ferrari is planning major upgrades for the Belgian GP running from July 25 to 27, including a redesigned rear suspension aimed at boosting competitiveness.
The unexpected removal of Christian Horner from Red Bull signifies a major shift within Formula 1’s team dynamics, particularly affecting those involved in past rivalries and current team affiliations. Lewis Hamilton’s measured and somewhat detached reaction underscores the complexity of the situation, as both Red Bull and Ferrari prepare for the remainder of a tense season marked by technical challenges and leadership uncertainty.
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