How Christian Horner’s sacking could reshape the F1 grid

Christian Horner has been sacked. In the wake of Red Bull’s public unravelling, it feels inevitable - and potentially seismic for the rest of the Formula 1 grid.

After 20 years in charge, Horner’s departure from Red Bull Racing marks the end of the most successful team principal tenure in modern F1 history.

Eight Drivers’ titles, six Constructors’ crowns, and a reputation for fierce competitiveness - all wiped away in a short, brutal statement confirming his immediate exit.

But this isn’t just about Horner. This is about what happens next.

Verstappen’s future just got more complicated

Max Verstappen is the biggest asset Red Bull have left. He’s been loyal, consistent, and most importantly, a ruthless winner.

But he’s also no stranger to performance clauses, and whispers of a potential move to Mercedes have been bubbling all season. Now? They’ll only grow louder.

It’s no secret Verstappen has voiced frustration with the RB21’s development. Combine that with the exits of Adrian Newey, Jonathan Wheatley, and now Horner, and Red Bull looks far less like a stable dynasty and more like a house falling apart brick by brick.

“The million-dollar question is, have Red Bull got rid of Horner because Max Verstappen is leaving, or did they get rid of Horner to prevent Max from leaving? That’s what everyone will be wondering about for the next few weeks or months until we know what happens with Max,” said Juan Pablo Montoya, speaking exclusively to BetVictor Casino.

If Verstappen decides he’s out, the dominoes fall fast.

Mekies steps in - but can he hold it together?

Laurent Mekies, formerly of Racing Bulls, has been promoted to the hot seat.

He’s respected, methodical, and has kept Racing Bulls afloat during a solid if unspectacular 2025 campaign.

But Red Bull isn’t a midfield project. They are a team with a championship expectation.

Is Mekies ready for that? And does he even have the authority to fix what’s clearly a fractured internal structure?

What does this mean for everyone else?

Other teams will be watching this unfold with interest - and possibly opportunity.

McLaren will be hoping Red Bull’s loss of leadership opens the door wider for Oscar Piastri’s title charge - and potentially Lando Norris’ too.

Ferrari may smell blood too, if they can find some consistency in the SF-25. Even Mercedes, amid their own rebuilding phase, could see this as the window they’ve been waiting for.

And what about the driver market? Sergio Perez is out, Liam Lawson’s already been shuffled, and Yuki Tsunoda’s in a difficult position.

If Verstappen does walk, the chaos won’t stop with Red Bull - it will send shockwaves across the paddock.

Red Bull are still fast - but are they still feared?

This team once struck fear into everyone with their ruthless consistency and united front.

Now, they’ve won just two races in 2025 - Japan and Imola - and look anything but untouchable.

The aura is fading. The leadership is gone. And the uncertainty is deafening.

The Red Bull empire is wobbling, and the race to take their place has already begun.

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