After twenty years, Christian Horner is no longer the team boss of Red Bull, as announced by the racing stable last Wednesday. The somewhat unexpected departure of the Briton is a hot topic in the Formula 1 world, and former driver Ralf Schumacher also weighs in. The current analyst expresses respect for Horner’s achievements, but suggests that the significant ‘private issue’ surrounding the Briton ultimately cost Red Bull a lot of personnel.
Ralf Schumacher reveals to Sky Germany why he thinks Red Bull decided to fire Christian Horner at this time. “Many people left the team and Horner simply failed to rebuild this team, to get new people. That’s why it was time,” says the former F1 driver. “Anyone who is in the paddock and knows the way, knows how Red Bull was viewed. In the end, he was simply no longer able to attract good people.”
“They just didn’t want to come because of his personnel problems,” continues the brother of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher. “I think that’s why Red Bull finally made the decision.” The former Red Bull team boss was embroiled in controversy last year, after a female employee accused Horner of inappropriate behavior. He was later acquitted.
Furthermore, Red Bull’s performance in the current season has been disappointing. The once dominant team now ranks only fourth, with 172 World Championship points, in the Constructors’ Championship. According to Schumacher, the course of the British Grand Prix was the deciding factor. Max Verstappen managed to put the RB21 in pole position due to his driving performance, but the car is so difficult to handle, so sharp, that he was nowhere in the race in the rain. Red Bull saw this and said, ‘We need to find a new way’. Schumacher does believe that the team has found a good successor in Mekies.
Dispute between Horner and Jos Verstappen in Silverstone
In addition to Red Bull’s future, Verstappen’s future is also discussed. According to Schumacher, the Dutchman would prefer to stay with Red Bull, although the four-time world champion is seriously considering leaving. Just before it was announced that Horner’s days at Red Bull were numbered, Schumacher saw the team boss arguing with Jos Verstappen in Silverstone.
“There was another kind of argument or heated discussion between Jos Verstappen, Christian Horner, and the press officer,” Schumacher said in the Boxengasse podcast. “You could see that Jos was anything but happy with the situation.” The six-time Grand Prix winner added that he found Horner ‘a bit of a difficult person’ who had ‘failed to keep the team together well’.
“He really can’t handle criticism,” Schumacher continued. “Sky Sports Germany or I am on a so-called blacklist. Therefore, he no longer talks to us or to me. It’s actually a joke, because a man who has won so much should be able to discuss that in front of the camera.”
