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Newsweek
7 hours ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
F1 Insider Makes Bombshell Claim of Verstappen's Involvement in Christian Horner Exit
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former driver and Sky Sports F1 reporter Martin Brundle has made a big claim that Max Verstappen and his father, Jos Verstappen, could have fueled Christian Horner's abrupt exit from Red Bull Racing. Horner was asked to step down from the position of CEO and team principal with immediate effect last week. The reason for his exit hasn't been revealed yet, but Brundle claimed he had an idea of who contributed to his ousting. Horner's clash with Jos Verstappen reportedly occurred last year. The team boss was accused by a female employee of inappropriate behavior, prompting Jos to argue with Horner over the incident. He even went to the extent of saying back then that Red Bull was at the "risk of being torn apart" if Horner continued to be in his position. The controversy followed a reported power struggle at Red Bull between Horner and senior advisor Helmut Marko. The team's internal situation worsened as key personnel such as Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley announced their exits. Speaking on Sky Sports' The F1 Show podcast, Brundle pointed out that elements were working against Horner at Red Bull. He said: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing, Jos Verstappen, and Christian Horner, Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing talk in the garage during day one of F1 Testing at Bahrain International... Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing, Jos Verstappen, and Christian Horner, Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing talk in the garage during day one of F1 Testing at Bahrain International Circuit on February 26, 2025 in Bahrain, Bahrain. More"Team Verstappen had been briefing certain journalists and Christian's just come more and more under pressure, and he lost key people like Adrian Newey, like Rob Marshall, like Jonathan Wheatley. "I think his failing on that was convincing himself and trying to convince everybody else that they weren't really doing that much anymore, and it really didn't matter, he'd got a better crew behind them. But that wasn't correct, and I think we've seen [that]. "But let's remember, this is a team that was on pole position last weekend in Silverstone, one of the toughest circuits in the world, and have won two grands prix this year. It's not exactly like it's been a disaster and they completely non-performed. "But I think there were too many things working against him, and I think eventually... He had a lot of support from Chalerm Yoovidhya [Red Bull co-founder/owner], and I think eventually that's faded away, and the inevitable has happened." Horner was replaced by former Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies. Brundle described the sudden replacement as an "odd" move and pointed out that "Team Verstappen" was not happy with Horner heading the team. He added: "For whatever reason, they've decided that Christian's not the man to lead them into the next phase, that Laurent Mekies is, and other people they'll, no doubt, put around him. "So, it's just odd. This is a strange time to do it, and a strange urgency, I would say to that. "We don't know what's gone on behind closed doors, but I do know that Team Verstappen were not happy with him there." When Brundle was asked if the Verstappens offered Red Bull a choice to either keep them or Horner, especially given Max's rumored talks with Mercedes, the Sky F1 presenter said: "I don't know, but what's absolutely clear is that the Verstappen camp have been lobbing in hand grenades for quite some months now, and some of them have gone off, and it's been pretty relentless in that respect. "And I think at times, Max's dad, Jos, has made it absolutely clear that he thinks Christian shouldn't be leading the company and leading the team." Brundle confirmed that Team Verstappen contributed to Horner's ousting, but clarified he was unsure of what exactly played out behind closed doors. However, he still chose to stand by what he had heard and seen. He said: "So I would, yes, they played a key role in Christian's exit. "But like I say, unless you're behind closed doors, then you don't know for certain. "But, there are certain things I do know, and certain things I have seen and heard that makes me think they were pretty involved in this decision."
Newsweek
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Alpine F1 Boss Breaks Silence on Leadership Shakeup After Renault CEO Exit
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Alpine F1 interim team principal Flavio Briatore has opened up on the effects of a leadership change at parent company Renault. CEO Luca de Meo announced he was stepping down from his role after the Canadian Grand Prix. De Meo's exit raised several questions about the future of the Alpine F1 team, especially considering the recent exit of full-time team principal Oliver Oakes. Briatore was appointed as a senior advisor to de Meo last year in a bid to make Alpine a winning team again. The Enstone-based team has mostly struggled in the current ground effect era with an underpowered power unit. Currently, the team is placed last in the championship standings, and a leadership shakeup would likely add to the confidence problem. Alpine special advisor Flavio Briatore walks in the paddock during day two of F1 Testing at Bahrain International Circuit on February 27, 2025 in Bahrain, Bahrain. Alpine special advisor Flavio Briatore walks in the paddock during day two of F1 Testing at Bahrain International Circuit on February 27, 2025 in Bahrain, Briatore has suggested that it is business as usual for Alpine. When asked by Reuters if de Meo's exit meant anything for the team, he said: "Nothing, absolutely nothing. "Nothing changed for me. Not for me or the team. And congratulations to Luca, new job." Alpine driver Pierre Gasly also opened up on de Meo's exit. Newsweek Sports previously reported his comments: "First of all, I think I need to have all the information. I have a very good relationship with Luca, he was the one that took me into the team, and I think he's a very inspiring person. "So obviously, first reaction is that I'm very sad to see him leave. "I'm sure he's got some good reasons. And I think at the end, for us as a team - even though not everything is great at the moment - there's still a lot of positives happening at the factory." He added: "For me, it's important that we keep that momentum going into '26, because the picture and the performance could be very different. And we need to keep that in mind. "And I think it's important for all of us to stick as a team and stick together in these types of moments. "And, you know, rely on each other and just trust the long game." Renault made a major decision last year to shut down Alpine's F1 engine operations at its Viry-Châtillon factory, becoming a customer team from 2026 amid rising costs. As a result, Alpine's F1 cars in the new era of regulations starting in 2026 will be powered by Mercedes power units. Alpine's status shift from a works team to a customer team raised many questions, especially about the team's long-term future in the sport. With de Meo's exit, it remains to be seen who will replace him and what decisions will follow.
