Christian Horner reportedly received an eight-figure payout after being dismissed by Red Bull last year. The former team principal, who spent 20 years in charge of the Milton Keynes-based constructor, was replaced by Laurent Mekies but did not leave empty-handed.
According to The Athletic, Red Bull gave Horner £67m in compensation, plus an additional £9m labelled as 'compensation for loss of office'. In total, Horner pocketed £76m following his departure.
Red Bull's success under Horner
Red Bull may argue the payout was good value, given that during Horner's tenure the team won eight Drivers' Championships and six Constructors' Championships. Max Verstappen, the most dominant driver of that period, recently opened up about his former team principal's exit.
Speaking to the Press Association, Verstappen said: "To be honest, I like to see people get on. It is not nice when you constantly have tension between people. Of course, from the outside, people like it, but honestly between the teams, it is better when you have just a friendly relationship.
"It is not as spicy, but I obviously quite like how things are going at the moment with everyone's behaviour, let's put it like that. It is less stressful. We are all leading a stressful life and when you can take a bit of stress out at times, it is good."
Horner's potential return
Horner has flirted with a return to Formula One, recently calling Ferrari his 'dream job'. On the prospect of his former boss returning to the paddock, Verstappen added: "He has shown he did a good job. Of course, people spread a lot of rumours and I don't know how much of that is true.
"I don't want to sound rude, but it is also not my problem or concern. He wants to come back and if there is a good opportunity I am sure he will but I don't know where that is going to be."
Horner himself said: "At this stage in my life, there's only one team for which I would accept non-participation in ownership. Would I consider Ferrari? I mean, Ferrari is the biggest brand in Formula One. It's the dream. And arguably it's the sleeping giant of Formula One."
Next race in Singapore
The racing action continues this weekend when Formula One heads to Singapore. Kimi Antonelli is closing in on a first-ever Drivers' Championship title, sitting 84 points clear of Mercedes team-mate George Russell.
