Christian Horner: Verstappen camp was not behind my Red Bull exit

christian horner has denied that Max Verstappen and his camp were responsible for his exit from Red Bull in 2025, saying he does not believe "the Verstappens were responsible in any way. " He spoke publicly for the first time about his dismissal as the latest season of Drive to Survive was released on Friday.

Christian Horner on Verstappen

Horner, 52, said: "[Max Verstappen's] father has never been my biggest fan. He's been outspoken about me, but I don't believe that the Verstappens were responsible in any way. " Jos Verstappen had earlier said Horner was "driving people apart, " and many suggested that Horner's exit was an attempt by Red Bull to convince Max Verstappen to sign a new deal. Verstappen is contracted until 2028 and only committed to racing for the 2026 season after Horner's exit.

Oliver Mintzlaff and Helmut Marko

Horner blamed Red Bull managing director Oliver Mintzlaff and Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko for his dismissal, saying: "It was all rather sudden. I didn't really get the chance to say a proper goodbye. " He added: "I think this was a decision that was made by Oliver Mintzlaff with Helmut advising from the side-line. " Marko, who had been a trusted motorsport advisor and worked closely with Horner for many years, was himself ousted by Red Bull just months after the Brit at the end of the 2025 season.

Power struggle at Red Bull

Horner said he believed a shift within the business followed the death of the team owner and founder, and that after Dietrich Mateschitz's death "I think probably I was deemed to have maybe too much control. " He described the period as a controversial 18 months that began when a female employee accused him of sexual harassment, an allegation that became public in February 2024. He was twice cleared of the claims: firstly after an internal investigation conducted by a lawyer, and then by another lawyer who dismissed the complainant's appeal.

Cleared after two investigations

Horner has been candid about his emotional reaction to the dismissal: "I feel a real sense of loss and hurt. It was all rather sudden. I didn't really get the chance to say a proper goodbye. I never imagined to be in this position. Of course, your immediate reaction when you're delivered a s*** sandwich like that is to say '**** them'. I've had something taken away from me that wasn't my choice that was very precious to me. " He left his roles as team principal and chief executive last summer after months of team decline and internal disputes, having joined Red Bull in 2005 and led the team to eight drivers' championships and six constructors' titles.

Geri Halliwell consoles Horner

Footage revealed Horner "broke down in tears" and was consoled by his wife Geri Halliwell, 53, after the news of his dismissal. The couple, who live near Banbury on the Oxfordshire border with Northamptonshire in a £9. 2m mansion, were shown watching his first race after leaving Red Bull, with Halliwell comforting him as emotions ran high.

Alpine links and Otro Capital

Since leaving Red Bull, Horner has been linked with a role at Alpine and talks were confirmed to be ongoing., Alpine said: "The team is regularly approached and contacted from potential investors, particularly given Otro Capital declared exploratory talks have taken place. One of those parties to express an interest is a group of investors, which also includes Christian Horner. " Horner left with a £52m payout after two decades with the team, and his shock sacking as Red Bull team principal was one of the biggest stories of the 2025 season.

Horner's main rival in the pit lane during his tenure was Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, and Horner revealed that Wolff had sent him a touching message following his dismissal.

Drive to Survive launches with another eight episodes ahead of the 2026 season getting under way in Australia, and the new series features Horner discussing his departure and its aftermath.

Unclear in the provided context: exact dates for some of the events beyond the year references, specific details of the footage source beyond what is stated, and any comments from Max Verstappen himself about Horner's departure.