Internet explodes after Horner's Dismissal: 'Verstappen to Mercedes, confirmed!

Updated: 12:44, 09 Jul 2025

Nicole Mulder is Managing Editor at GPblog and a specialist in Formula 1 and MotoGP. With years of experience and permanent accreditation at Grands Prix worldwide, she delivers reliable coverage and insights based on direct access to drivers and the F1 paddock.

The news that Christian Horner has been dismissed with immediate effect as CEO and team principal of Red Bull Racing has led to a wave of reactions on social media. Fans, followers, and Formula 1 insiders are voicing their opinions on X en masse.

Internet reacts massively to Horner's dismissal

Horner has been at the helm of the team since 2005 and was closely involved in the successes of Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. Despite a contract until 2030, the Briton has now been ousted following discussions between shareholders Chalerm Yoovidhya and Mark Mateschitz, and sports chief Oliver Mintzlaff.

The news hit like a bombshell. On X, a flood of responses to the news followed. Many fans are clearly not sad about the team principal's departure, while others immediately take the opportunity to bring in Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.

Speculation about Max Verstappen is also rife: fans are wondering if Horner's dismissal was because the Dutchman had already decided to move to Mercedes, or if the decision was made precisely to prevent him from leaving.

Pos.	Driver	Team	Points
1	Kimi Antonelli Kimi Antonelli	MercedesMER	131
2	George Russell George Russell	MercedesMER	88
3	Charles Leclerc Charles Leclerc	FerrariFER	75
4	Lewis Hamilton Lewis Hamilton	FerrariFER	72
5	Lando Norris Lando Norris	McLarenMCL	58
6	Oscar Piastri Oscar Piastri	McLarenMCL	48
7	Max Verstappen Max Verstappen	Red Bull RacingRBR	43
8	Pierre Gasly Pierre Gasly	AlpineALP	20
9	Oliver Bearman Oliver Bearman	HaasHAA	18
10	Liam Lawson Liam Lawson	Racing BullsRCB	16
11	Franco Colapinto Franco Colapinto	AlpineALP	15
12	Isack Hadjar Isack Hadjar	Red Bull RacingRBR	14
13	Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz	WilliamsWIL	6
14	Arvid Lindblad Arvid Lindblad	Racing BullsRCB	5
15	Gabriel Bortoleto Gabriel Bortoleto	AudiAUD	2
16	Esteban Ocon Esteban Ocon	HaasHAA	1
17	Alexander Albon Alexander Albon	WilliamsWIL	1
18	Nico Hulkenberg Nico Hulkenberg	AudiAUD	0
19	Valtteri Bottas Valtteri Bottas	CadillacCAD	0
20	Sergio Perez Sergio Perez	CadillacCAD	0
21	Lance Stroll Lance Stroll	Aston MartinAST	0
22	Fernando Alonso Fernando Alonso	Aston MartinAST	0

Internet explodes after Horner's Dismissal: 'Verstappen to Mercedes, confirmed!

Internet reacts massively to Horner's dismissal

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