Juan Pablo Montoya, the former McLaren driver, has highlighted a perplexing issue surrounding the recent firing of Christian Horner by Red Bull. Montoya suggests that the critical question remains unexplored: was Horner removed because Max Verstappen is considering leaving the team, or was the decision made to keep Verstappen from departing? The uncertainty around this Max Verstappen Red Bull dilemma has left fans and insiders puzzled.
Red Bull’s decline over recent years appears to have started around 2024 with the public emergence of controversies involving Horner. Since then, the team environment has been fraught with internal conflicts and political maneuvering aiming to push the team principal out. Despite Horner’s survival of these tensions throughout 2024, the 2025 season has not shown significant improvement, and with Verstappen seemingly out of title contention halfway through the year, the board has opted to remove Horner immediately.
Mixed Theories and Speculation on Horner’s Exit
The decision to sack Horner has sparked various theories, but no definitive explanation has surfaced. Speaking to BetVictor Casino, Montoya expressed surprise at the move while questioning the underlying reasons behind it. He remarked,
“I think Christian Horner’s sacking has surprised everybody. There has been talk for the last year and a half about them possibly wanting Horner out, because of all the drama happening internally at Red Bull. I think there are going to be a lot of changes in Red Bull, they need a lot of changes.” —Juan Pablo Montoya, Former McLaren Driver
Montoya went further to emphasize the core dilemma facing the team, saying,
“The million-dollar question is, have Red Bull got rid of Horner because Max Verstappen is leaving, or did they get rid of Horner to prevent Max from leaving? That’s what everyone will be wondering about for the next few weeks or months until we know what happens with Max. Overall, I think the sacking has a lot to do with Max leaving Red Bull. Whether it’s about Max staying or leaving, that will be the big question mark everyone is wondering about.” —Juan Pablo Montoya, Former McLaren Driver
Why Montoya Believes Removing Horner Was Necessary
Montoya also expressed his belief that dismissing Christian Horner was a justified decision, considering the struggles Red Bull has faced recently. The dominant form showcased by the Austrian squad in 2023, when they secured multiple victories, is missing in 2025 — with Verstappen no longer fighting for the championship lead. Montoya noted the need for rebuilding after losing key personnel.
He explained,
“With how hard the Red Bull car is to drive, they need to rebuild their team. Adrian Newey has left, and they need a new structure to be put in place. In the long term, Red Bull will be okay, but in the short term, they’re going to struggle to put everything in place and hire the right people.” —Juan Pablo Montoya, Former McLaren Driver
Adding a note of sympathy for Horner, Montoya said,
“It’s going to be exciting from the outside to see what happens at Red Bull. I do feel sorry for Christian because of everything he’s done for the team. Everything happens for a reason and we’ll see what happens.” —Juan Pablo Montoya, Former McLaren Driver
Laurent Mekies Steps Into Horner’s Role Amidst Red Bull’s Challenges
Christian Horner’s replacement is Laurent Mekies, who the former team boss brought over from Ferrari to Racing Bulls. Mekies now faces the significant challenge of managing the tumultuous atmosphere within the team while trying to steer Red Bull back to stability amid performance issues and internal upheaval. How effectively Mekies adapts to his new role will be closely watched, especially as Red Bull navigates a difficult transition period.
The evolving Max Verstappen Red Bull dilemma adds further complexity to the team‘s future direction. Whether Horner’s removal will influence Verstappen’s loyalty to the team remains an open question that will define Red Bull’s prospects in the near term.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What gender is Max Verstappen’s baby?
A. Verstappen and Piquet recently announced the birth of their baby girl, Lily. They had earlier shared the news of expecting a child before the 2024 season finale in Abu Dhabi. Lily now joins her older sister, Penelope, Piquet’s daughter.
Q. Is Penelope not Max Verstappen’s daughter?
A. Kelly Piquet, who is the daughter of former racing champion Nelson Piquet, has a daughter named Penelope. Penelope is from her past relationship with ex-Formula 1 driver Daniil Kvyat. Verstappen has developed a strong bond with Penelope. When asked if having a child might impact his performance on the race track, he mentioned this bond as an example.
