F1 Pundit Exposes ‘Quiet’ Christian Horner Days Before Shock Red Bull Axe

Christian Horner is no longer the Red Bull Racing team principal. The 51-year-old was effectively sacked by the energy drinks giant a week ago. Horner’s sudden departure came as a shock to almost the entire paddock. Now, F1 presenter Martin Brundle has revealed that perhaps the Englishman was aware that the writing was on the wall.

Red Bull announced the exit of Christian Horner on Wednesday last week. The Englishman informed his crew at Milton Keynes regarding his departure the same day. Horner claimed that he was told that he was being shown the door one day earlier. However, Martin Brundle suspects that the 51-year-old knew something was going to happen two days earlier.

Formula 1 held a special memorial in remembrance of former team owner Eddie Jordan at the British GP. The paddock came together to pay tribute to Jordan who passed away earlier this year. During this event, Martin Brundle crossed paths with Christian Horner, and it seemed that the 51-year-old was having a hard time. The F1 presenter insisted that Horner was acting much quieter than he usually is, seemingly out of the loop.

I saw Christian on Monday at the Eddie Jordan Memorial, and he was very, very quiet and very introvert, I must say. Clearly, a bit out of sorts.

Martin Brundle said on Sky F1’s ‘The F1 Show’ podcast.

Brundle recalled that the Englishman had managed to do a stellar job at Milton Keynes in the past two decades. During his time at Red Bull, Christian Horner turned around a struggling Jaguar operation into an F1 behemoth after the energy drinks giant called him to lead the team. The 66-year-old asserted that he has always maintained good relations with Horner. This makes it even more painful for Martin Brundle to see everything fall apart for the 51-year-old.

I’m saddened, because I think Christian’s done an incredible job picking up the bones of what was the Jaguar F1 team and what he’s achieved in the last 20 years there. And I consider him a friend. So it’s a pity it’s ended so abruptly like this.

Martin Brundle added

Christian Horner became nothing more than a ‘passenger’ at Red Bull

The Red Bull team boss was having a hard time on and off-track since last year. In early 2024, a female employee accused Christian Horner of inappropriate behavior. While the Englishman was cleared of all wrongdoings after an investigation, the damage was done. Horner’s reputation was tarnished and even Max Verstappen‘s father Jos Verstappen urged Milton Keynes to get rid of the 51-year-old. Moreover, the Austrian team’s massive slump in performance only made matters worse.