The abrupt dismissal of Christian Horner from his role as Team Principal of Red Bull Racing has intensified the spotlight on the internal power dynamics at the Milton Keynes-based Formula 1 team. The departure has reignited debate over who truly holds influence within Red Bull and whether the so-called “Verstappen clan”—led by Max Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen—played a pivotal role in forcing Horner out.
For over a year, since the beginning of the 2024 Formula 1 season, there has been much speculation about the behind-the-scenes tensions at Red Bull Racing. Reports widely suggested that Christian Horner was strongly supported by the Thai ownership faction of Red Bull, headed by Chalerm Yoovidhya. On the other hand, Horner reportedly faced growing opposition from the Austrian-Dutch side of the organization, with Jos Verstappen at the forefront of the resistance. Jos had openly and repeatedly hinted at his desire to see Horner removed from power.
Their strained relationship became even more evident during the most recent race weekend at Silverstone, where Jos Verstappen and Christian Horner were seen having a heated exchange in the paddock. This only added fuel to the rumors that a change in leadership was not only imminent but also encouraged by the Verstappen side of the garage.
Winners and Losers in Red Bull’s Power Game
Following the announcement of Horner’s immediate dismissal, numerous insiders and analysts interpreted the decision as a clear victory for the Verstappen camp in what has been described as an internal “civil war” at Red Bull Racing. The prevailing view is that ousting Horner may have been a last-ditch move by Red Bull’s corporate head, Oliver Mintzlaff, aimed at appeasing the reigning four-time World Champion and convincing him to delay or abandon a possible switch to Mercedes for the 2026 Formula 1 season.
In this scenario, the idea would be to persuade Max Verstappen to remain with Red Bull for at least one more year, through 2025, and only then make a final decision about his long-term future after seeing how the team performs under the new technical regulations that will take effect starting in 2026.
Jos Verstappen’s Influence and the Road Ahead for Max
However, the narrative of Jos Verstappen as the mastermind behind Horner’s downfall is now being disputed by Dutch sources. According to well-connected journalist Erik van Haren, who is known for his close ties to the Verstappen family and writes for the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, such reports are “absurd” and have been strongly denied by all parties involved.
Van Haren suggests that the claims about the Verstappen clan demanding Horner’s removal are exaggerated or simply untrue. While Max Verstappen did post a public farewell to Christian Horner on social media—widely seen as a formal gesture rather than a deeply emotional one—the reality behind the scenes may be far more nuanced.
Still, many observers believe it is difficult to imagine Jos Verstappen feeling any real sorrow over no longer seeing Horner in charge of the team. Their relationship had deteriorated in recent times, and Jos had made no secret of his dissatisfaction with how things were being managed within Red Bull.
What seems increasingly likely is that Christian Horner’s removal does not automatically mean that Max Verstappen will remain with Red Bull Racing beyond 2025. His decision will be based primarily on sporting criteria. As reiterated by Raymond Vermeulen, Verstappen’s longtime manager and advisor, the key factor will be the team’s competitive prospects.
According to van Haren and other insiders, Verstappen plans to wait until the summer to make a firm decision about his future. The performances seen during the races in Spielberg and Silverstone reportedly left the Dutch driver uncertain about Red Bull’s current direction.
This summer will therefore be a decisive period for the reigning champion, who will evaluate whether to commit to the “new” Red Bull project—now reshaped under the leadership of Laurent Mekies—or to accept the ongoing courtship from Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff, who has made no secret of his desire to bring Verstappen to Brackley.
The choice Max Verstappen makes will not only shape the rest of his career but could also shift the balance of power in Formula 1 for years to come.
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