Yuki Tsunoda reveals Christian Horner text message after Red Bull axe

Yuki Tsunoda has revealed to receiving a message of support from axed Red Bull boss Christian Horner ahead of this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix.

The event will mark the first time in Red Bull's history that Horner will not be in charge of the team during a race weekend.

Just days after the British Grand Prix, Red Bull announced that Horner had departed the organisation, ending his 20-year stint as team principal.

Horner took time to message his former driver on the eve of round 13 of the F1 campaign to encourage Tsunoda following his struggle for results alongside Max Verstappen.

“I appreciate how Christian supported me at various races,” Tsunoda told the media, including RacingNews365.

“I got a message from him yesterday. [He said] ‘Show what you can do'.”

When asked if he was surprised by Horner's exit, Tsunoda stated: “Definitely, yes, surprising for me. 

“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. I got information from Helmut on that day.

“That’s pretty much all I can say on that. I’m just focused on driving.”

Former Racing Bulls team boss Laurent Mekies has replaced Horner in the leading Red Bull role.

After working with Mekies throughout 2024 and the early stages of the current season, Tsunoda has endorsed the appointment. 

“I’m sure he can bring something that he found in Racing Bulls, and he brings the positives that he’s done in the last two years,” he said

“Maybe under a third perspective, it’s good that a new person came in and saw a new perspective, new angles.

“Let’s see how he’s going to approach it. But also, we have a lot of good people already. They know what they’re doing.”