Latest news with #Horner
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- Automotive
- North Wales Chronicle
Christian Horner's replacement tasked with ‘reducing outside noise' at Red Bull
Mekies – speaking for the first time since he was dramatically elevated into the Red Bull hotseat ahead of this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix – praised Horner for being 'nothing else than supportive' since he took over as Red Bull CEO and team principal 16 days ago. The 51-year-old Horner was released from his post after the British Grand Prix, with Sunday's race at Spa-Francorchamps marking the first in Red Bull's two-decade history in Formula One without him at the helm. Horner oversaw 14 world championships, but the last 18 months of his reign were overshadowed by allegations of 'inappropriate behaviour' from a female colleague – Horner always denied the claims and was twice exonerated – the subsequent departure of a number of his key allies and doubts about star driver Max Verstappen's future. 'You don't see weaknesses, but a lot of good ideas to get that Red Bull energy back, and perhaps to reduce that noise from outside, and just concentrate on racing, and that is what we are going to try and do together,' said Mekies. 'I have spoken (with Horner) and he has been nothing but supportive, even in the extremely difficult context for him. 'He was the first one to text, the first one to call, and even yesterday, or this morning, we texted each other again. Nobody is going to replace his character or be a like-for-like replacement. 'They (Red Bull) have been showing season after season that they are the best in the world, and if they are not (the best) they are very close. 'I don't think anyone doubts what Red Bull is here to do in terms of an objective in the short-term, mid-term or long-term, which is to fight for wins and world championships so in terms of a mission statement that is what I am here to do.' Still obsessed with this special lid, Max 🤩🧡#F1 || #BelgianGP 🇧🇪 — Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) July 25, 2025 Mekies' promotion from Red Bull's junior team, RB, coincided with Horner's exit. The F1 team's parent company, Red Bull GmbH said Horner had been 'released from his operational duties' but did not specify a reason. Asked if he had been told the rationale behind Horner's ousting, Mekies, 48, replied: 'The short answer is no. We didn't get into the whys and the why nows but they outlined the objectives for the team moving forward. 'I got a call from (Red Bull Managing Director) Oliver (Mintzlaff) and (Red Bull Motorsport Adviser) Helmut (Marko) and they asked if I would be interested in the job. Obviously it came out of the blue. I asked them if I could think about it for a few hours and I hung up the phone. 'It is difficult to digest but the first thing that comes into your mind is, 'well, wait a second, this is Red Bull, and they are asking you to step into that job'. So you pick up the phone, and you say, 'of course, it will be an honour and a privilege'. 'Christian was extremely supportive of me over the past two years so there are mixed emotions, but the dominant one is that Red Bull have called me and if you think you need me here I will be there.' Horner's former rival, the Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, told Sky Sports: 'In a way (I will miss Horner). He was one of the main cast, someone that was controversial and polarising. 'That was good from the entertainment factor, and from that perspective, he will be missed. His track record speaks for itself. 'I don't think he's gone forever, he could pop up in some other function. I need to be careful, he could rock up in the FIA, then I'm really in the s***.'
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Oscar Piastri takes pole position for Belgian Grand Prix sprint race
SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS – Formula One leader Oscar Piastri took pole position for the Saturday sprint by nearly half a second at the Belgian Grand Prix, while McLaren teammate and title rival Lando Norris qualified third. Red Bull's reigning champion Max Verstappen will join Piastri on the front row for the first race since Christian Horner was dismissed as team boss and replaced with Laurent Mekies. Piastri lapped the Spa-Francorchamps circuit with a best time of one minute 40.510 seconds, 0.477 seconds quicker than Verstappen and 0.618 clear of Norris. The Australian is eight points clear at the top after 12 of 24 rounds. 'It was a good lap... the car has been mega all day. I feel like I was able to put in a lot of good laps. Thanks to the team, the car has been great,' said Piastri. 'This is a track I love. It's my favourite one of the year. Maybe that gave me an extra couple of tenths. When the car is handling as well as it was today, it's a pleasure. 'The car has been in a good window since Lap 1. I don't know why. I had good confidence. I feel like the last few weekends have been good from a pace perspective... It's nice to get a result today.' McLaren team principal Andrea Stella added on Sky Sports: 'Certainly that was a pretty amazing lap by Oscar. He capitalised on everything that was available in the car.' Ferrari's Charles Leclerc starts fourth but teammate Lewis Hamilton will line up 18th after a difficult afternoon for the seven-time world champion, whose most recent win came at the same circuit last year with Mercedes. The Briton spun on his last flying lap while on course to go through, with the suspicion falling on a failure of the car's rear axle. George Russell, who finished first last year for Mercedes but was then disqualified for an underweight car, also struggled and qualified 13th. Off the track, Verstappen insisted on July 24 that Horner's shock departure as team boss of Red Bull will have no impact on his future plans. The four-time world champion, who has been linked with a move to Mercedes next season, suggested that he expects to stay with Red Bull until the conclusion of his current contract in 2028. Speaking to reporters in the paddock ahead of this weekend's action, one of his 'home' races as he was born in Belgium and his mother is Belgian, the 27-year-old Dutchman said he was concerned only with improving the speed and performance of his car. The rest, he said, was not of great interest to him, adding that past tensions between Horner and his father Jos Verstappen had no bearing on decisions about his future. Asked if Horner's exit after 20 years as team boss made it more probable that he would stay at Red Bull next year, Verstappen said: 'No, it doesn't. Not really.' He added that the well-publicised discord between his father and Horner was never a problem. 'People can have a difference of opinion and I expect that to happen because if everyone agrees, there is a problem,' Verstappen said. 'You need to have differences in opinion. Now, we will work in a different direction and I am excited about it and I don't think it will matter at all for the decision over my future. 'The only thing that matters is that we work on the car and make it as fast as we can and try and be more competitive this year, a little bit, but for sure with the new regulations next year.' In other news, Formula E will remain until at least 2048 as the only all-electric single-seater series sanctioned by motorsport's world governing body after announcing a contract extension with the FIA on Friday. The Liberty Global-controlled series said the 10-year extension, with sources indicating an option for a further five years, provided a solid platform for long-term growth and investment opportunities. Formula E expects its cars to be on the same level as, or exceeding the performance of, other top-tier series including Formula One by the middle of the century. AFP, REUTERS
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Christian Horner tipped to become Lewis Hamilton's new Ferrari boss, day after Brit driver's brutal response to sacking
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FORMULA 1 legend Jacques Villeneuve says Christian Horner "doesn't seem to be affected by pressure" so could be Ferrari's team principal. However, if Lewis Hamilton's response to the news of Horner's sacking is anything to go off, it may not be the match Villeneuve thinks it could be. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Horner was sacked three days after the British Grand Prix Credit: Getty 4 Allegations of inappropriate behaviour were made against him by a female colleague in February 2024 Credit: Getty 4 He's been tipped to join Ferrari Credit: AFP 4 Villeneuve thinks he could 'shoulder the pressure' of Ferrari Credit: Getty Horner was sacked by Red Bull earlier this month after 20 years from his position as team principal. The team have not publicly provided a reason for his dismissal. Allegations of inappropriate behaviour were made against him by a female colleague in February 2024. Horner - who is currently out of work - has denied these allegations. Speaking to Vision4Sport, who provide Formula 1 tickets and packages, 1997 world champion Villeneuve said on the Brit: "Christian Horner to Ferrari would be an interesting one. read more in f1 Bel tolls Fears for future of iconic F1 track that's set to disappear from calendar "He's been solid, doesn't seem to have been very affected by pressure, even in tough times. "So, he might well be one that could be able to shoulder Ferrari." But on Thursday, Hamilton gave a brutal response to a question on Horner's sacking ahead of the Belgium Grand Prix. With a dead-pan look on his face, he said: "It doesn't change anything in my life." BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK That comment was followed by an awkward silence in the press conference. Hamilton - who stunned the F1 world when he switched from Mercedes to Ferrari - failed to podium at the British Grand Prix earlier this month. Lewis Hamilton looks close to tears in live TV interview after 'terrible' performance His fourth place finish brought an end to finishing in the top three for 12 Silverstone races in a row as he finished behind Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and Nico Hulkenberg. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finished second at the Monaco Grand Prix in May behind McLaren's Lando Norris. And Villeneuve thinks this inconsistent form is a reoccurring theme for the Italian team. He said: "It's like that every year. It's really bad, and then suddenly they win in Monaco. "Then it's great and they've turned the corner, then it goes back to being very bad and so on. So, let's wait." Ferrari principle Fred Vasseur has been in focus this season, with fans questioning if time will run out for him after a tricky season for the Italian team. Asked about Vasseur's future, Villeneuve said the job is always a "risky proposition". He said: 'The team principal at Ferrari is always under threat. That's the name of the game. "When you accept going to Ferrari, you know that you're walking on fire, you're walking on eggs. It's always a risky proposition. "And if you take that job, which puts you in the limelight, you have to accept the consequences, which means it's easy to just be chopped 'You live under constant pressure, and you have to accept it from the media, from everyone and you complain about it because a team principal there is always one who managed to remove his predecessor. "There's always a lot of politics. So, if it happens to Vasseur there should not be any surprise."
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Christian Horner tipped to become Lewis Hamilton's new Ferrari boss, day after Brit driver's brutal response to sacking
FORMULA 1 legend Jacques Villeneuve says Christian Horner "doesn't seem to be affected by pressure" so could be Ferrari's team principal. However, if Lewis Hamilton 's response to the news of Horner's sacking is anything to go off, it may not be the match Villeneuve thinks it could be. Advertisement 4 Horner was sacked three days after the British Grand Prix Credit: Getty 4 Allegations of inappropriate behaviour were made against him by a female colleague in February 2024 Credit: Getty 4 He's been tipped to join Ferrari Credit: AFP 4 Villeneuve thinks he could 'shoulder the pressure' of Ferrari Credit: Getty Horner was The team have not publicly provided a reason for his dismissal. Allegations of inappropriate behaviour were made against him by a female colleague in February 2024. Horner - who is currently out of work - has denied these allegations. Speaking to Vision4Sport, who provide Christian Horner to Ferrari would be an interesting one. Advertisement read more in f1 "He's been solid, doesn't seem to have been very affected by pressure, even in tough times. "So, he might well be one that could be able to shoulder Ferrari." But on Thursday, Belgium Grand Prix. With a dead-pan look on his face, he said: "It doesn't change anything in my life." Advertisement Most read in Motorsport Exclusive BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK That comment was followed by an awkward silence in the press conference. Hamilton - who stunned the F1 world when he switched from Mercedes to Ferrari - failed to podium at the British Grand Prix earlier this month. Lewis Hamilton looks close to tears in live TV interview after 'terrible' performance His fourth place finish brought an end to finishing in the top three for 12 Silverstone races in a row as he finished behind Oscar Piastri and Nico Hulkenberg. Advertisement Ferrari's And Villeneuve thinks this inconsistent form is a reoccurring theme for the Italian team. He said: "It's like that every year. It's really bad, and then suddenly they win in Monaco. "Then it's great and they've turned the corner, then it goes back to being very bad and so on. So, let's wait." Advertisement Ferrari principle Fred Vasseur has been in focus this season, with fans questioning if time will run out for him after a tricky season for the Italian team. Asked about Vasseur's future , Villeneuve said the job is always a "risky proposition". He said: 'The team principal at Ferrari is always under threat. That's the name of the game. "When you accept going to Ferrari, you know that you're walking on fire, you're walking on eggs. It's always a risky proposition. Advertisement "And if you take that job, which puts you in the limelight, you have to accept the consequences, which means it's easy to just be chopped 'You live under constant pressure, and you have to accept it from the media, from everyone and you complain about it because a team principal there is always one who managed to remove his predecessor. "There's always a lot of politics . So, if it happens to Vasseur there should not be any surprise."
Leader Live
2 hours ago
- Automotive
- Leader Live
Christian Horner's replacement tasked with ‘reducing outside noise' at Red Bull
Mekies – speaking for the first time since he was dramatically elevated into the Red Bull hotseat ahead of this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix – praised Horner for being 'nothing else than supportive' since he took over as Red Bull CEO and team principal 16 days ago. The 51-year-old Horner was released from his post after the British Grand Prix, with Sunday's race at Spa-Francorchamps marking the first in Red Bull's two-decade history in Formula One without him at the helm. Horner oversaw 14 world championships, but the last 18 months of his reign were overshadowed by allegations of 'inappropriate behaviour' from a female colleague – Horner always denied the claims and was twice exonerated – the subsequent departure of a number of his key allies and doubts about star driver Max Verstappen's future. 'You don't see weaknesses, but a lot of good ideas to get that Red Bull energy back, and perhaps to reduce that noise from outside, and just concentrate on racing, and that is what we are going to try and do together,' said Mekies. 'I have spoken (with Horner) and he has been nothing but supportive, even in the extremely difficult context for him. 'He was the first one to text, the first one to call, and even yesterday, or this morning, we texted each other again. Nobody is going to replace his character or be a like-for-like replacement. 'They (Red Bull) have been showing season after season that they are the best in the world, and if they are not (the best) they are very close. 'I don't think anyone doubts what Red Bull is here to do in terms of an objective in the short-term, mid-term or long-term, which is to fight for wins and world championships so in terms of a mission statement that is what I am here to do.' Still obsessed with this special lid, Max 🤩🧡#F1 || #BelgianGP 🇧🇪 — Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) July 25, 2025 Mekies' promotion from Red Bull's junior team, RB, coincided with Horner's exit. The F1 team's parent company, Red Bull GmbH said Horner had been 'released from his operational duties' but did not specify a reason. Asked if he had been told the rationale behind Horner's ousting, Mekies, 48, replied: 'The short answer is no. We didn't get into the whys and the why nows but they outlined the objectives for the team moving forward. 'I got a call from (Red Bull Managing Director) Oliver (Mintzlaff) and (Red Bull Motorsport Adviser) Helmut (Marko) and they asked if I would be interested in the job. Obviously it came out of the blue. I asked them if I could think about it for a few hours and I hung up the phone. 'It is difficult to digest but the first thing that comes into your mind is, 'well, wait a second, this is Red Bull, and they are asking you to step into that job'. So you pick up the phone, and you say, 'of course, it will be an honour and a privilege'. 'Christian was extremely supportive of me over the past two years so there are mixed emotions, but the dominant one is that Red Bull have called me and if you think you need me here I will be there.' Horner's former rival, the Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, told Sky Sports: 'In a way (I will miss Horner). He was one of the main cast, someone that was controversial and polarising. 'That was good from the entertainment factor, and from that perspective, he will be missed. His track record speaks for itself. 'I don't think he's gone forever, he could pop up in some other function. I need to be careful, he could rock up in the FIA, then I'm really in the s***.'
