The new season of Drive to Survive has revealed Christian Horner's emotional reaction to being sacked as Red Bull team boss last summer. The 52-year-old was dismissed after 20 years in charge, following a power struggle within the team.
In scenes filmed at his Oxfordshire home with wife Geri Halliwell, Horner spoke of his sense of loss and hurt. He said the decision came suddenly and that he did not get a proper goodbye. He admitted that he probably had too much control, particularly after the death of Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022.
Horner refused to blame Max Verstappen or his father Jos for his departure, despite their well-documented fallout. Instead, he pointed to Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull GmbH's chief executive, and Helmut Marko, the former driver development boss, as the key figures behind the decision.
He also addressed the controversial decision to drop Liam Lawson after just two races, with Yuki Tsunoda stepping in. Horner insisted it was not his choice, saying he was always pushed to take drivers from the junior programme.
Horner is free to return to the F1 paddock from April and has been linked with a move to Renault-owned Alpine. The 2026 season begins with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on 8 March.
