George Russell Alleges Verstappen Family Orchestrated Christian Horner's Red Bull Exit
In a forthcoming episode of Netflix's acclaimed documentary series Formula One: Drive to Survive, Mercedes driver George Russell has reignited tensions within the Formula One paddock by openly speculating about the circumstances surrounding Christian Horner's departure from Red Bull Racing. The British driver posits that reigning world champion Max Verstappen and his father, Jos Verstappen, actively sought to remove Horner from his long-standing position as team principal.
Russell's Theory on Verstappen's Alleged Power Play
Russell suggests that the Verstappen family holds considerable sway within the Red Bull hierarchy and is not afraid to utilise it. "The Verstappens clearly have a lot of power in that team," Russell states in the documentary. "They like to manipulate situations quite a lot." He directly links this perceived influence to Horner's eventual sacking, questioning whether persistent rumours linking Max Verstappen with a shock move to Mercedes were merely a tactical manoeuvre.
"For whatever reason, they don't like Horner, and they are trying to get Horner out," Russell continues. "I wonder if all of this is a bit of a play and a stir, trying to put pressure on Red Bull, that he'll only continue there if Christian is gone."
Contractual Fallout and Timeline of Events
Russell's own contract negotiations with Mercedes were reportedly impacted by the uncertainty surrounding Verstappen's future. Speculation about the four-time champion's availability delayed the finalisation of Russell's new deal. It was only after Verstappen publicly committed to Red Bull for the 2026 season that Russell secured his own contract extension with Mercedes.
The sequence of events adds weight to Russell's theory:
- Christian Horner was dismissed by Red Bull Racing.
- Three weeks later, Max Verstappen confirmed he would remain with the team.
- Two and a half months after that, George Russell's new Mercedes contract was announced.
Horner's Contradictory Perspective and Historical Context
In a separate development, Christian Horner has spoken publicly for the first time since his exit, offering a contrasting view that absolves the Verstappen family of direct responsibility. While acknowledging past friction, particularly with Jos Verstappen, Horner stated, "I don't believe that the Verstappens were responsible in any way."
This friction has historical precedent. Jos Verstappen infamously called for Horner's removal back in March 2024, following an internal Red Bull investigation that cleared Horner of misconduct. At the time, Jos Verstappen warned, "It cannot continue this way; the situation is not good for the team and is driving people apart." He further told the Daily Mail that the team was "in danger of being torn apart" and that the situation would "explode" if Horner remained.
Internal Red Bull Politics and a Changing Landscape
Horner instead points to broader structural changes within the Red Bull organisation following the death of its founder, Dietrich Mateschitz. He suggests his dismissal was a decision made by managing director Oliver Mintzlaff, with advice from the now-retired motorsports adviser Helmut Marko.
"I think ultimately things changed within the business, within the group," Horner reflected. "The founder died, and after Dietrich's death, I think probably I was deemed to have maybe too much control." He described his departure as sudden, lamenting that he "didn't really get the chance to say a proper goodbye."
These revelations from both Russell and Horner, set to feature in the eighth season of Drive to Survive, promise to shed new light on one of the most dramatic off-track stories in recent Formula One history, highlighting the intense power dynamics and political manoeuvring that exist behind the scenes of the world's premier motorsport.
