What Vettel thinks of Christian Horner leaving Red Bull

Last July, the Austrian team made a leadership change, dismissing the Leamington Spa-born manager with immediate effect after twenty years, and appointing Laurent Mekies as the new team principal and CEO.

Asked by Sky Sports in Brazil how he reacted to the news, the four-time World Champion responded: “Surprised. Christian has been there for so long, since the very beginning and knows this team inside out.”

“I think for this year, everything was in place. I know Laurent as well, the success, and I worked with him and he’s a really, really great person.”

Although he had kind words for Mekies, who in recent months has taken on a challenging and delicate task, the former German driver believes that replacing someone like Horner is no easy feat.

The four-time World Champion, who returned to the paddock in Brazil just last weekend, also spoke about the difficult period Oscar Piastri is currently going through.

The Australian lost the championship lead in Mexico and fell further behind in Interlagos, now sitting 24 points adrift of his teammate with just three races remaining.

Analyzing his situation, Vettel offered advice to McLaren on how to help the Australian regain his best form.