Christian Horner was prepared to make a major sacrifice to leave on his own terms, but Red Bull refused

A report from The Times says sources close to Horner indicated he was open to leaving Red Bull at the end of the 2025 season, preferring a mutual parting over the stigma of a sacking.

That approach might have helped ease tensions among those within Red Bull who remained loyal to him, especially given what he had built since taking charge in 2005.

Instead, shareholders opted for an immediate dismissal, delivered by managing director Oliver Mintzlaff and Helmut Marko during a meeting in a hotel room.

The abrupt nature of his departure didn’t just catch fans off guard, it also surprised some key partners who had longstanding relationships with Horner. Reports suggest some only found out about his exit through media coverage, leaving them unhappy with how things were handled.

On top of that, two other senior figures within Red Bull – Oliver Hughes and Paul Smith – were also let go on the same day. Both men had been strong supporters of Horner, and witnesses later saw them being escorted out of the factory following his dismissal.

What comes next for Christian Horner in Formula 1?

Several teams are reportedly interested in bringing Horner into a management role at some point down the line.

Over two decades with Red Bull, he helped build one of the sport’s top teams, collecting eight drivers’ championships and six constructors’ titles along the way.

Speaking ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, Pierre Gasly weighed in on where Horner could land next, with Alpine mentioned as a possible destination.

The Renault Group is said to be looking to sell a stake in the Alpine F1 team. If Horner isn’t keen on having his fate decided by higher-ups again, this move could suit him well.