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Red Bull's caput of sporting projects Oliver Mintzlaff made a telling remark astir the aboriginal of Max Verstappen, conscionable months earlier Christian Horner was sacked arsenic squad main of the Formula 1 team.
Horner, who helped Red Bull triumph six Constructors' Championship titles betwixt 2010 and 2023, was relieved of his duties with contiguous effect connected Tuesday evening.
A connection from Red Bull aboriginal revealed that the 51-year-old will beryllium replaced by Laurent Mekies, who was the squad main astatine sister squad Visa Cash App Racing Bulls.
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."
Mintzlaff added: "Thank you for everything, Christian, and you volition everlastingly stay an important portion of our squad history."
Christian Horner was sacked by Red Bull connected Wednesday. Image: Getty
Verstappen paid tribute to Horner arsenic he issued an affectional statement connected societal media.
The Dutch driver's aboriginal has been clouded by uncertainty, having been heavy linked with a determination to Mercedes successful caller weeks. Aston Martin are besides funny successful signing the 27-year-old.
That's contempt being connected a £50 million-a-year declaration with Red Bull until the extremity of the 2028 season.
But Mintzlaff is 'convinced' Verstappen volition proceed to correspond Red Bull successful 2026 and beyond.
"I'm convinced he'll proceed the agelong travel he's taken with Red Bull truthful far, Max volition proceed to thrust for america successful 2026," helium told German work Bild successful April.
"On the 1 hand, it was not without crushed that helium signed until the extremity of 2028, and connected the different hand, helium has precocious made his presumption clear.
"Max erstwhile told maine that helium started his vocation astatine Red Bull - and would similar to extremity it determination too. As acold arsenic I know, that hasn't changed."
Oliver Mintzlaff is convinced Max Verstappen volition thrust for Red Bull successful the 2026 season. Image: Getty
The 49-year-old Red Bull main added: "We've benefited enormously from Max, the champion operator successful the world, but the information is, helium besides owes a batch to Red Bull. We're presently going done a hard phase, of course, but I don't person the feeling that this has enactment Max successful doubt.
"As agelong arsenic the cognition that we privation to physique the champion car successful the satellite is lived out, he'll propulsion unneurotic with us. That's the lone mode we tin beryllium palmy again. And we will. A semipermanent concern besides means sticking unneurotic successful hard times."
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