Nelson Piquet Jr has firmly rejected claims that Max Verstappen or his associates were responsible for Christian Horner’s removal from Red Bull Racing. Speaking on the Pelas Pistas podcast, the Brazilian attributed Horner’s exit to an internal power battle and his reluctance to share control within the team rather than interference from Verstappen’s camp.
Christian Horner was the last founding figure remaining in Red Bull’s leadership after departures of key personnel like Adrian Newey, Jonathan Wheatley, Rob Marshall, and Will Courtenay. Despite rumors that Horner’s exit was orchestrated by those close to Max Verstappen, Piquet Jr clarified that personal tensions between Horner and Jos Verstappen did not translate into the reigning world champion forcing Horner out.
According to Piquet Jr, Horner’s growing need to dominate all areas of the organisation, including team management, technical operations, and Red Bull Powertrains, created unrest among senior leaders. His unwillingness to delegate responsibility led to friction that ultimately undermined his position within the team. Piquet Jr suggested this internal discord was the true cause behind Horner’s dismissal rather than pressure from Verstappen’s side.
Nelson Piquet Jr Details the Internal Struggles That Led to Horner’s Departure
During the Pelas Pistas podcast, Nelson Piquet Jr discussed how difficulties in team dynamics and leadership roles affected Red Bull from within. He explained that retaining Max Verstappen depended, in part, on rebuilding trust and rehiring certain personnel, which was complicated by Horner’s control over the environment.
“What’s the reason they are struggling to keep Max? I heard it’s they have difficulty bringing some key people back or hiring. Because some didn’t like the team environment. Those little problems came up between him and Max’s father. In a way, it bothered some people, and for them to bring the people they want back, some felt that, with Christian there, it would be more difficult. That’s what people have been saying.” — Nelson Piquet Jr
“It was about sharing tasks a little bit more and Horner didn’t want to do that. He wanted to maintain control over everything, both teams, over the engines; he wanted to be in control of everything. But for him, it was a win-win situation. If he gets all the power, for him, it’s a huge moral issue. And if he doesn’t, he gets a huge amount of money, almost 100 million dollars. Maybe part of that is psychological, so they can get rid of him and hire this list of people back. It’s not just because of Max,” he added.
Piquet Jr emphasized that Horner’s approach created an atmosphere where cooperation became difficult, which compromised Red Bull’s ability to retain or attract key talent, indirectly threatening Verstappen’s position but without direct involvement from the driver himself.
Speculation Around Max Verstappen’s Future and Talks with Mercedes
In addition to addressing the Red Bull leadership changes, Nelson Piquet Jr touched on rumors about Max Verstappen’s possible move to Mercedes in 2026. Piquet Jr stated that conversations between Verstappen and Mercedes officials are underway, although final contract terms remain unsettled.
“They are talking, everyone knows right? Just missing final contract details, but everyone knows that it’s an option. They are talking.” — Nelson Piquet Jr
Regarding a timeline for Verstappen’s decision, Piquet Jr added:
“Until August, he needs to have made a decision, they will either get the final details right or not. But I think it would be pretty cool.” — Nelson Piquet Jr
Despite the absence of official confirmations, the possibility of Verstappen switching to Mercedes has drawn significant attention. Reports, including insights from Ralf Schumacher, indicate that Verstappen and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff were expected to hold discussions in Sardinia after the British Grand Prix. Wolff himself acknowledged that talks had already taken place before Silverstone.
The Red Bull organization’s decision to part ways with Horner is now seen as part of a larger attempt to restructure internally and improve stability, aiming to secure Verstappen’s continued commitment and boost team performance moving forward.
How Horner’s Exit Could Influence Red Bull Racing’s Future
Christian Horner’s removal marks a critical shift within Red Bull Racing as the team addresses leadership challenges amid high expectations for Max Verstappen’s future. With key architects of the team’s success having departed over recent years, Horner’s exit signals a new phase in Red Bull’s strategic approach.
The reshuffle may facilitate greater collaboration among senior staff and improve the team environment that had reportedly caused difficulties in retaining top talent. How effectively Red Bull manages this transition could determine its competitiveness and stability during Verstappen’s remaining tenure or any potential transition to a rival team.
As the Red Bull camp navigates these changes, all eyes remain on Verstappen’s contract resolution and Mercedes’ prospects, which could reshape the Formula 1 landscape from 2026 onwards.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Max Verstappen a billionaire?
A. Multiple sources estimate Max Verstappen’s net worth to be around $210 million.
Q. Did Max Verstappen apologize?
A. Christian Horner shared that Max Verstappen said sorry to the Red Bull team after crashing into George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix. This incident caused Verstappen to fall from fifth to tenth place after a 10-second penalty was given.
Q. Who did Max Verstappen lose respect for?
A. Max Verstappen expressed that he “lost all respect” for George Russell following a stewards’ meeting about a qualifying incident in Qatar, according to Formula 1®.
Q. Has Max Verstappen apologized to Lando Norris?
A. He doesn’t have to apologize. I’m not looking for one from him. I feel an apology isn’t necessary. It was exciting racing and sometimes almost crossed the line, but we’ve discussed it and are both ready to race again.
