The Formula 1 world received major news after the 2025 British Grand Prix, as Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner was dismissed from his role, and replaced by Laurent Mekies.
The news came amid a slide in results on the track for Red Bull, internal investigations into Horner‘s conduct towards a member of staff, and major speculation over the future of star driver Max Verstappen.
Much of the speculation has suggested that Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is doing all he can to get Verstappen into a Mercedes car next season, even if it means removing George Russell from the team. He has admitted to holding talks with Verstappen‘s camp to understand what it would really take, and many have wondered if this impacted Red Bull‘s decision to sack Horner.
Losing Verstappen, the man who has delivered four world championships for Red Bull and still has many years left to race, would have been a disaster for Horner and Red Bull. When speaking to Sky Sports F1 at the Belgian Grand Prix, Wolff was asked if his actions had any impact on Horner’s position as Red Bull boss.
“No. There is much more in the background that we probably don’t know with Red Bull,” Wolff said.
“Looking after drivers, in my position as team principal of Mercedes, I need to explore what Max is going to do in the next few years, not only next year.”
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On whether the fact that Horner is out of the picture will impact Mercedes‘ pursuit of Verstappen, Wolff said: “I think drivers will always seek the quickest car, much more than any monetary incentives. It’s about the quickest car and analysing that. That’s what Max and all the others will do.”
Wolff’s relationship with Horner
It is no secret that Toto Wolff and Christian Horner have not always seen eye-to-eye, especially when Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen were battling for the drivers’ championship in 2021.
Despite being adversaries, Wolff agreed that he will miss Horner in some respects, saying when asked if he’ll miss him: “In a way yes. He was one of the main casts. 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***. He was someone that was controversial, polarising and not soft-washed. That was good from the entertainment factor and from that perspective he will be missed. His track record speaks for itself.”
