Former Red Bull driver analyses 'fatal blow' which destroyed Horner's career

08:04, 12 Jul

Updated: 09:24, 12 Jul

byHidde Korte

Former Red Bull driver Robert Doornbos has drawn a sobering conclusion for his ex Red Bull team after Christian Horner's firing.

Although Horner's departure had long appeared inevitable, the official announcement still came as a shock to many within the paddock and the wider Formula 1 world. Speaking on Ziggo Sport's Race Café, former driver Robert Doornbos drew a brutal conclusion.

The former Dutch F1 driver was an official driver for the team for a short period, and was also a test and reserve driver. ''They built it into a powerhouse in Formula 1. To then be dismissed like that—there’s clearly more going on than just a dip in form," he began.

"What’s really at play is, of course, the events of the past eighteen months: the incident involving inappropriate behaviour, poor driver decisions—extending Pérez in July, then dropping him again in December and paying out two years' salary.

"Then Lawson and Ricciardo were called up, and both failed. Yuki isn’t delivering either. All in all, it’s been a fatal blow for Christian, and the Austrians have had enough."

According to Doornbos, Horner's controversial behaviour and his decisions regarding driver contracts are only part of the story.

Just as crucial, he says, is the departure of several key figures within Red Bull Racing's technical and management structure.

Doornbos thinks 'Verstappen will also leave' Red Bull team

"Top personnel have left as well. We’ve lost Rob Marshall, Adrian Newey, Jonathan Wheatley, and now Christian Horner too.

"I think Verstappen will leave as well. The team will have to start building from scratch again. And that job now falls to Laurent Mekies—he has big shoes to fill. But we won’t be seeing Red Bull at the top for a while," Doornbos explained.

Verstappen to Mercedes? What We Know at This Time

Doornbos is convinced that Max Verstappen is on his way to Mercedes, but whether that’s truly the case remains uncertain. Speculation intensified after reports emerged that both Verstappen’s and Toto Wolff’s yachts were spotted in Sardinia at the same time. GPblog published an article discussing what is currently known about a possible meeting between the two, though much of it remains unconfirmed.