Christian Horner has revealed that he was blocked from recruiting Fernando Alonso and Charles Leclerc as Max Verstappen's team-mate at Red Bull. The second Red Bull seat has seen numerous drivers come and go over the last decade, often struggling against the Dutchman.
Horner's Attempts to Strengthen the Line-Up
Sergio Perez was one of the more successful occupants, lasting four years as Verstappen's team-mate from 2021 to 2024. However, fluctuations in his form regularly put his future under scrutiny. Horner, then team principal, was not afraid to look for a potential upgrade on Perez, but was told by Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko that he could not sign Ferrari's Leclerc or two-time world champion Alonso.
Writing in his upcoming book, Drive, Horner said: "Of the available drivers, I knew that Carlos Sainz Jr was a possibility – Fernando Alonso too. At the Japanese Grand Prix, Fernando even told me that he would very much like to drive alongside Max the following season."
Horner added: "Then Helmut – apparently on behalf of the Verstappen management team – made it clear they were unhappy with that idea. Charles Leclerc was another driver I'd admired for a while."
Leclerc Considered a Perfect Fit
Horner described Leclerc as "fast, committed over a single lap, and had a determined personality," noting he was "liable to make the odd mistake here and there, which Red Bull had benefited from, but he never once threw Ferrari under the bus, whatever the situation."
Horner went as far as speaking to Leclerc's management and consulting Verstappen. He said: "Charles was a team player, and I sensed he would fill the gap, were Sergio to fall away. He also seemed frustrated at Ferrari. I had spoken with his manager in Qatar the previous year, who wanted Charles to be in a winning position – and Red Bull were winning everything at that time."
When Horner suggested the idea to Verstappen, the Dutchman seemed unconcerned, saying "Charles is a nice guy." However, Horner soon received word from Marko to forget about Leclerc as well. He said: "Like Fernando, it wasn't going to happen, and I knew immediately that the order hadn't come from Max. He possessed the confidence to go up against any other driver, but somebody, somewhere, had decided that it wasn't the right move for Red Bull. I was disappointed."
Perez's Exit and Sainz's Situation
Perez eventually lost his Red Bull drive at the end of 2024. He was initially replaced by Liam Lawson for 2025, but the Kiwi was demoted back to the sister team, Racing Bulls, after just two races, with Isack Hadjar stepping in.
As for Sainz, who was dropped by Ferrari to make room for Lewis Hamilton, it is widely believed that tensions between his father, Carlos Sainz Snr, and Verstappen's father, Jos, made that alliance at Red Bull unworkable. Christian Horner's new book Drive is released on Thursday, October 22.
