Christian Horner braced for sacking as Max Verstappen contract clause could see him quit Red Bull

Christian Horner’s long reign at Red Bull Racing could be nearing a critical juncture as internal pressures grow and rival teams surge ahead.



Red Bull’s Momentum Stalls



Despite a dominant run with Max Verstappen that saw the Dutchman secure a fourth straight world title in 2024, Red Bull has found itself struggling in 2025. The team now trails behind McLaren, who have won three consecutive races, and even Ferrari in the constructors’ standings.



Verstappen himself is in third place in the driver rankings, unable to lift the team on his own as he once did.







Horner’s Position Under Review



According to recent reports, Horner may be losing favor with Red Bull’s Thai ownership group, which holds a 51% stake in the company. While Horner survived a potential ousting in early 2024, this latest downturn in form has reignited speculation about his future.



Autosprint and FormulaPassion have both suggested that if the upcoming car upgrades fail to close the performance gap to McLaren, Horner could be on the chopping block.



Oliver Oakes Linked to Potential Vacancy



Amid this uncertainty, former Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes has emerged as a potential candidate to replace Horner. Oakes shocked the paddock by stepping down from his role after the Miami GP, handing over control to advisor Flavio Briatore.



His departure coincided with a controversial driver swap involving Jack Doohan and Franco Colapinto, leading to speculation that the decision may have triggered internal conflict.



Oakes shares a strikingly similar career trajectory to Horner, both being the youngest team principals in F1 history, making him a natural contender should Red Bull seek a new direction.



Time Running Out for Red Bull to Regain Control



With McLaren’s Oscar Piastri leading the standings and Ferrari showing signs of resurgence, Red Bull’s dominance appears under real threat. The next few races, starting with the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, could determine not only the title race but also the leadership of one of F1’s most successful teams.
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