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An F1 writer has revealed the 'startling comment' Christian Horner made to him a week earlier his daze sacking astatine Red Bull.
The 51-year-old was relieved of his duties astatine Red Bull connected Wednesday, having been successful complaint since they joined the grid successful 2005, starring them to six drivers and 8 constructors' titles.
Horner volition beryllium replaced by Racing Bulls squad main Laurent Mekies volition instrumentality implicit the duties for this month's Belgium Grand Prix.
Following confirmation of Horner's departure, Red Bull managing manager Oliver Mintzlaff said: "We would similar to convey Christian Horner for his exceptional enactment implicit the past 20 years.
"With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise, and innovative thinking, helium has been instrumental successful establishing Red Bull Racing arsenic 1 of the astir palmy and charismatic teams successful Formula 1."
Following the news, countless insiders person provided caller details with the real crushed for the sacking emerging pursuing a leaked clip of Horner saying his goodbyes to Red Bull staff.
And present F1 writer Jonathan McEvoy has revealed the 'startling comment' made by Horner conscionable days earlier his exit astatine Red Bull.
He wrote successful the Daily Mail: "I saw Horner successful Austria a week earlier the British Grand Prix. He did not look happy, though a idiosyncratic matter, a backstage tragedy, whitethorn person been the reason."
McEvoy revealed that Horner asked him if helium was present to spot the pair's communal person Bernie Ecclestone.
"Yes,' I told him, 'but he’s engaged with your bosses close now," McEvoy told Horner.
Horner replied: "I know,’ helium said. ‘I person been with them, too."
McEvoy went connected to explicate that Horner did 'not look happy' and his 'demeanour seemed to betray concern' with not overmuch smiling progressive successful the interaction.
Christian Horner astatine the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix for Red Bull (credit: Getty)
However, McEvoy stressed that determination is inactive nary authoritative confirmation of the circumstances down his departure, but theorised that the dice could person been formed determination and past with specified elder Red Bull figures successful talks.
Christian Horner's leaving statement
Horner has besides breached his soundlessness pursuing the daze quality of his departure.
Taking to Instagram, helium wrote: "After an unthinkable travel of 20 years together, it is with a dense bosom that contiguous I accidental goodbye to the Team I person perfectly loved. Every 1 of you, the astonishing radical astatine the factory, person been the bosom and psyche of everything that we person achieved.
"Win and lose, each measurement of the way, we person stood by each different arsenic 1 and I volition ne'er hide that. It’s been a privilege being portion of and starring this epic Team and I americium truthful arrogant of our corporate accomplishments and you all.
"Thanks to the astonishing partners and fans who enabled america to spell racing. Your enactment has helped turn the squad from its humble beginnings to an F1 powerhouse that laid assertion to 6 Constructors Championships and 8 Drivers Championships.
"Equally, convey you to our rivals, with whom determination would beryllium nary racing astatine all. You’ve pushed us, challenged us, and enabled america to execute accolades we ne'er dreamed possible. The contention has made each triumph sweeter and each setback an accidental to make and grow.
"Formula 1 is simply a athletics built connected relentless ambition, passion, and respect. The rivalries person been fierce, but the communal thrust to innovate and rise the barroom is what has made this travel truthful special.
"It’s been an honour to beryllium portion of this unthinkable epoch of motorsport. I permission with immense pridefulness successful what we’ve achieved and besides with what’s successful the pipeline for 2026 — and immense respect for everyone who’s made F1 the pinnacle it is today. Thank You.
"Christian."
