Red Bull Fires Christian Horner, Verstappen Thanks Former Boss

Christian Horner, the long-serving Red Bull team principal who led the team to six Constructors championships over 20 years, has been abruptly fired, marking an end to a significant era in Formula 1. Max Verstappen, the four-time world champion who has raced under Horner since his F1 debut, paid tribute to him on social media, acknowledging their shared successes and expressing gratitude. Horner's departure has sparked speculation about Verstappen's future, with pundits suggesting it may increase the likelihood of him staying with Red Bull, especially as the team prepares to debut a new Ford engine next year. Verstappen is currently third in the drivers' standings and has a contract with Red Bull until 2028, but an exit clause could allow him to leave if he ranks below fourth by the summer break. The change in leadership sees Alan Permane become the new team principal and Laurent Mekies the CEO, with the team currently fourth in the Constructors' standings. Despite past controversies involving Horner, Verstappen maintained a professional focus throughout and publicly supported Horner's leadership until his dismissal.