'It’s fully in their right' - F1 drivers react to shock Christian Horner Red Bull exit

A number of F1 drivers have reacted to the shock news regarding Christian Horner's exit from Red Bull.

Just days after the British Grand Prix, Red Bull communicated that it had parted ways with Horner, bringing his 20-year stint as team principal to an end.

Horner was by far the longest-serving team principal on the grid, and one of the most successful in F1 history.

The news left many surprised - including current Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda.

“Definitely, yes, surprising for me,” Tsunoda said.

“It’s such a big, big change. The last 20 years, since Red Bull signed with Christian, they always worked with Christian.

“It’s a big change for the team.”

One individual who wasn't so moved on the topic was seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, who highlighted he pays little attention to F1 news outside of race weekends.

“When I’m away from the race weekends, I don’t really pay attention to anything that’s going on in Formula 1 other than what’s happening within our team,” he said. “So, I was neither surprised or not surprised.

“I was just minding my own business. And of course, I think when you change CEO or someone that’s running an organisation, they come with their own formula and more often than not, make changes.

“So that’s inevitable, but that takes time.”

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Horner was at the forefront of Max Verstappen's title-winning years at Red Bull from 2021 to 2024.

However, the Dutchman stated the management of the energy drink company retain the right to make any changes they see fit.

 “The last one and a half years have not gone how we would have liked and management decided they wanted to steer the ship in a different direction,” Verstappen said

“Management and, of course, the shareholders decided that they wanted a change. They run the team and I’m the driver so whatever they decide it’s fully in their right to do what they want.”

As he sits as one of the most successful figures the sport has ever seen, Horner has been backed by Pierre Gasly to snap up another major role in the paddock.

“I think his qualities are undoubtable because when you've got the number of championships in 20 years of career,” Gasly said.

“You can only respect all the success with the team, and what he's done with Red Bull Racing over there, it's very remarkable and very impressive. He is very, very good at what he's been doing with the team. 

“I'm sure we're gonna see him somewhere because with that sort of experience and skills, I'm sure some teams will be interested in Christian.”

As for the drivers at Red Bull's sister team Racing Bulls, both Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar were left shocked by the news.

“Me too,” Hadjar said when it was stated the announcement seemed to surprise many people. “I was at the factory on the simulator. I was there.

“To be fair, I was always way closer to Helmut [Marko]. It was always very brief with Christian. If I was to jump in his car, I would have liked to spend some time with him.”

When asked how he found out, Lawson added: “In the media. I can’t remember when it was announced, but I found out afterwards.

“It wasn’t something I expected. Things change in F1 [but] it was surprising.”