Did Verstappen’s camp demand that Red Bull bar Horner? Here’s what was going on!

It was reported that Max Verstappen’s camp had ensured Christian Horner was not allowed in the Formula 1 paddock for months. A headline-grabbing claim, because would Raymond Vermeulen and Jos Verstappen really have had the power to keep Red Bull Racing’s former team boss out of the paddock?

The simple answer is “no.” The people around Max Verstappen cannot forbid someone else from appearing in the F1 paddock. So that’s a misrepresentation, at least if “Verstappen’s team” is taken to mean the entourage of the former world champion. If, by those words, Red Bull Racing is meant, then there’s a bit more truth to it.

However, it’s anything but unusual that a departed team member is not seen in the F1 paddock in the period after their exit. All teams include in their contracts that a leaver cannot start working for another team for a set period and cannot appear in the F1 paddock. Teams are far too afraid that during gardening leave major secrets will end up with the competition.

Especially for Christian Horner, who led a successful F1 team for over two decades, it’s not intended that he’s strolling around the paddock within weeks of his dismissal. Not that anyone needs to feel sorry for someone like Horner, as he received many tens of millions from Red Bull to stay home for a year. If he were in contact with other F1 teams—which happens quickly in the F1 paddock—it would cost the Brit a lot of money.

During the last Grand Prix at Silverstone, Horner was present because his gardening leave had ended. That means he’s free to talk to anyone and to be in the F1 paddock. For the record, Horner does not currently have a new team, after flirtations with at least Alpine. The former team boss does want to get back to work, under the right conditions. For instance, Horner wants to become a co-owner of an F1 team.