Formula 1

F1 insider reveals leaks at the heart of Christian Horner Red Bull exit

The Red Bull fallout rumbles on after Horner's departure

Matthew Hobkinson Lead Editor

F1 Editor & Journalist

Sunday 13 July 2025 17:00

Sky Sports F1 star Martin Brundle has warned that leaks and complaints from Max Verstappen's camp played a part in Christian Horner's Red Bull exit.

Horner was removed from his post in a shock move on Wednesday morning.

Racing Bulls team principal, Laurent Mekies, has replaced Horner for the remainder of the season.

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The news comes amid a poor season by Red Bull's high standards as they sit fourth in the constructors' standings – 288 points behind leaders McLaren.

Verstappen has accrued 165 of 172 points for the team, but still finds himself third in the drivers' standings.

Max Verstappen has been a one-man army at Red Bull this year

Verstappen discontent to blame for Horner exit?

Verstappen Sr has made his feelings clear on numerous occasions over Horner's tenure, and Brundle believes that this discontent has played a role in his exit from the team,

“Completely out of the blue,” Brundle told Sky Sports reacting to the news of Horner's sacking. “Given things that are going on, problems in the team, words are getting out of team Verstappen and others.

“I’m quite sad about it if I am honest. I consider Christian a friend and he’s done an incredible job there for 20 years. Won an awful lot of races and world championships for drivers and for the team.

“But it’s not been difficult to feel in the Formula 1 paddock and to observe and to hear that things were not particularly rosy.”