Prepare to be surprised! Max Verstappen has revealed a surprisingly close connection with his former Red Bull boss, Christian Horner, even after Horner's departure from the team.
This news might shock some, but Verstappen and Horner are still in contact, speaking weekly despite Horner's exit six months ago.
Horner's dismissal followed a challenging first half of the season. After 20 years at the helm since Red Bull's inception, the team's performance dipped, and they found themselves in fourth place in the constructors' championship. By the British Grand Prix in early July, when Horner was let go, Red Bull trailed McLaren by a significant 288 points.
Verstappen understands the Red Bull board's decision to make changes, especially considering the allegations made against Horner 17 months prior. "Things weren't going quite well within the team in terms of results, and, of course, there was also a bit of unrest," Verstappen explained in an end-of-year interview. "And when things don't go well for a while, it's the shareholders who want to see change. They just didn't like the way things were going. In the end, they made the choice to make that change and put Laurent Mekies forward."
Verstappen also acknowledged the personal impact of the management change, highlighting the strong bond he'd built with Horner, particularly during their successful partnership, including his maiden championship win in 2021. "It is difficult because you have built a bond with Christian and achieved so much, especially those moments in 2021. Of course, you never forget them. Christian ultimately went through fire for me, and those kinds of things are difficult when you talk to each other on the phone."
But here's where it gets controversial... Verstappen shared the remarkable frequency of their continued communication. When asked about their contact, he replied, "Still every week, during every race on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. He texts me, for example, but we also stay in touch during holidays. He knows everyone in the team, but it's more about him saying, 'I wish you the best of luck, I believe in you. I'm your biggest fan, etcetera...' But also about everything we've already experienced. You discuss those kinds of things. Outside of that, you also talk about things other than racing. So we're in touch every race weekend, even after his dismissal."
And this is the part most people miss... Despite suggestions that the leadership transition improved Red Bull's performance, with Verstappen winning six of 10 grands prix after the summer break, he was cautious in his assessment. "I want to be careful how I express that," he said. "I don't want to criticize Christian, because he has obviously achieved a lot in the team, and others still have to try to achieve that. Horner also brought people into the team that enabled us to achieve this [success]. And that change then comes. You see that in other sports, too, when things aren't going well."
What do you think? Does this level of continued contact surprise you? Do you think it's a testament to their strong relationship, or does it raise questions about the team's future? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
