Revealed - The 'politically impossible' scenario Horner would have faced

10:09, 16 Jul

byTobia Elia

Dutch commentator Nelson Valkenburg believes that even if Christian Horner hadn’t been fired and had managed to convince Max Verstappen to stay at Red Bull, there would still have been no guarantee of success in 2026, given the uncertainty surrounding the new regulations.

With Christian Horner now sidelined and an RB21 struggling to satisfy Max Verstappen’s hunger for victory, Red Bull’s future continues to hold great uncertainties, despite the appointment of Laurent Mekies, tasked with breathing new life into the Anglo-Austrian team’s project.

In recent years, almost all the key figures who made Red Bull a powerhouse over the past fifteen years have chosen to pack their bags and move elsewhere, including key names like Adrian Newey, Rob Marshall, and Jonathan Wheatley, along with several other prominent figures who preferred to seek new opportunities.

Red Bull is fully aware that it cannot afford to lose Max Verstappen, about whom persistent rumors continue to circulate regarding a possible move to Mercedes next season.

Christian Horner and Max Verstappen

The 'politically impossible' scenario Horner would have faced

“If Max leaves, I know there’s a perception that the team will implode and points-wise, they might,” Dutch commentator Nelson Valkenburg said on The Race F1 podcast.

“But, if he stays and that car isn’t as competitive as it needs to be, then that team will explode, and Christian Horner would never have been able to keep Max Verstappen or to keep his position within Red Bull after he lets Verstappen go.''

According to Valkenburg, this would have been ''a politically impossible'' scenario for Horner to reconcile.

Speaking about the reasons that led Red Bull to part ways with Horner, the Dutchman added: “I kind of disagree with the premise that a lot of people, or let’s say the equation that a lot of people made, is that this is to keep Max. I have a hunch this may make it easier for both parties to separate.''

“I think what we’re looking at with Red Bull is one of those Premier League football teams where all the strong players have been bought away and there’s just a shell left. That’s a huge disservice to the race team, but a lot of big names have left.”