Verstappen was not behind my Red Bull exit - Horner
Max Verstappen won four Formula 1 titles under Christian Horner
- Published
Christian Horner says Max Verstappen and his camp were "not responsible" for his exit from Red Bull in 2025.
The 52-year-old left his roles as team principal and chief executive last summer following months of team decline and internal disputes.
Jos Verstappen, Max's father, said Horner was "driving people apart" before his departure from Red Bull, while many suggested that Horner's exit was an attempt from Red Bull to convince Verstappen to sign a new deal.
Verstappen, who is contracted until 2028, only committed to racing for Red Bull in the 2026 season after Horner's exit.
But speaking publicly for the first time about his departure, Horner dismissed any suggestions that Verstappen and his camp were responsible for his dismissal.
"[Max Verstappen's] father has never been my biggest fan," Horner told Netflix's Formula 1: Drive to Survive, which is released on Friday.
"He's been outspoken about me, but I don't believe that the Verstappens were responsible in any way."
Christian Horner joined Red Bull in 2005
Horner, who joined the team in 2005, led Red Bull to eight drivers' championships and six constructors' championship titles.
He was dismissed after a controversial 18 months that started when a female employee accused him of sexual harassment, an allegation that was made public in February 2024.
He was twice cleared of the claims, firstly after an internal investigation conducted by a lawyer, then by another lawyer who dismissed the complainant's appeal.
The Briton left with a £52m payout but he said he felt a "real sense of loss", and blamed Red Bull managing director Oliver Mintzlaff and Red Bull advisor Marko Helmut for his exit.
"It was all rather sudden. I didn't really get the chance to say a proper goodbye," he said.
"I think this was a decision that was made by Oliver Mintzlaff with Helmut advising from the side-line.
"I think ultimately things changed within the business, within the group. The founder died, and after Dietrich [Mateschitz]'s death, I think probably I was deemed to have maybe too much control."
