Did Red Bull sack Horner due to Verstappen's F1 future uncertainty? Montoya weighs in

Red Bull has had a relatively difficult start to the 2025 season as McLaren is likely to win the Constructors' Championship. Their two drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, are also the top two in the Drivers' Championship.

This has left Max Verstappen a distant third in the standings while Red Bull continue to struggle with its second car driven by Yuki Tsunoda.

Formula 1 race winner Juan Pablo Montoya has questioned whether Red Bull pulled the trigger and dismissed Horner because Verstappen is leaving, or if it was an attempt to keep him.

The seven-time Grand Prix winner told a betting site: "I think Christian Horner’s sacking has surprised everybody. There has been talk for the last year and a half about them possibly wanting Horner out, because of all the drama happening internally at Red Bull.

Red Bull has had a difficult first half of the year, with Liam Lawson and now Tsunoda unable to challenge Verstappen.

This has left them fourth in the Constructors' Championship and floundering behind a superior McLaren.

At the Belgian Grand Prix next time out, the spotlight will likely be on Red Bull following Horner's departure, as another key figure has left in recent years.

Horner's departure from the team follows Adrian Newey's joining of Aston Martin, Jonathan Wheatley's departure to lead the Stake F1 Team, while Rob Marshall is now at McLaren.

Red Bull have now promoted Laurent Mekies to the top team after a stint with Racing Bulls while Alan Permane will lead the sister team.