Christian Horner points accusing finger at two people responsible for Red Bull sacking

Christian Horner has exonerated Max and Jos Verstappen of playing a leading role in his sacking as Red Bull team principal last year.

Horner was dismissed after 20 years at the helm, during which time he helped the team win eight drivers' championships - four apiece for Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen - and six constructors' titles.

Horner's departure, a few days after the British Grand Prix in July, came at a time when it appeared as if he had weathered the storm that engulfed his personal life throughout 2024 after being accused of inappropriate behaviour by a female employee.

Jos Verstappen voiced his disapproval at the time, indicating that if Horner remained at the helm, then the team would implode.

Horner survived, but over the course of the campaign, senior figures departed, notably Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley.

Red Bull's performance also waned in late 2024, with Verstappen just doing enough to secure his fourth crown in the face of a concerted challenge from Lando Norris and McLaren.

It was the Woking-based team who maintained their form into 2025, and not Red Bull, eventually leading to Horner's exit.

As to who was to blame, speaking in an episode of the latest series of 'Drive to Survive', and initially referring to Max and Jos, Horner said: "His father has never been my biggest fan.

"He’s been outspoken about me, but I don’t believe the Verstappens were responsible in any way."

Instead, Horner pointed an accusing finger at the managing director of Red Bull's parent company, and another leading figure inside the F1 team, who was also a long-term ally of Max Verstappen.

"I think this was a decision that was made by Oliver Mintzlaff, with Helmut [Marko] advising from the sideline," said Horner.

Recognising what unfolded within Red Bull following the death in October 2022 of the team's owner, Dietrich Mateschitz, Horner added: "Ultimately, things changed within the business, within the group, when the founder died.

"After Dietrich’s death, I think probably I was deemed to have, maybe, too much control."