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

Updated: 12:44, 09 Jul 2025

byNicole Mulder

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	72
2	George Russell George Russell	MercedesMER	63
3	Charles Leclerc Charles Leclerc	FerrariFER	49
4	Lewis Hamilton Lewis Hamilton	FerrariFER	41
5	Lando Norris Lando Norris	McLarenMCL	25
6	Oscar Piastri Oscar Piastri	McLarenMCL	21
7	Oliver Bearman Oliver Bearman	HaasHAA	17
8	Pierre Gasly Pierre Gasly	AlpineALP	15
9	Max Verstappen Max Verstappen	Red Bull RacingRBR	12
10	Liam Lawson Liam Lawson	Racing BullsRCB	10
11	Arvid Lindblad Arvid Lindblad	Racing BullsRCB	4
12	Isack Hadjar Isack Hadjar	Red Bull RacingRBR	4
13	Gabriel Bortoleto Gabriel Bortoleto	AudiAUD	2
14	Carlos Sainz Carlos Sainz	WilliamsWIL	2
15	Esteban Ocon Esteban Ocon	HaasHAA	1
16	Franco Colapinto Franco Colapinto	AlpineALP	1
17	Nico Hulkenberg Nico Hulkenberg	AudiAUD	0
18	Alexander Albon Alexander Albon	WilliamsWIL	0
19	Valtteri Bottas Valtteri Bottas	CadillacCAD	0
20	Sergio Perez Sergio Perez	CadillacCAD	0
21	Fernando Alonso Fernando Alonso	Aston MartinAST	0
22	Lance Stroll Lance Stroll	Aston MartinAST	0

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

byNicole Mulder

Internet reacts massively to Horner's dismissal

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