Red Bull Racing is currently experiencing major instability after the dismissal of team principal Christian Horner following the British Grand Prix this year. Former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has now warned that the energy drinks giant faces a parallel issue with Max Verstappen, as the team lacks a definitive succession plan for the Dutch driver’s future.
Christian Horner’s Departure Highlights Red Bull’s Leadership Gap
Christian Horner, who managed Red Bull Racing since its debut season in 2005, played a crucial role in transforming the Milton Keynes-based outfit into a championship-winning powerhouse. Over nearly two decades, the British leader guided the team to multiple world titles. However, recent controversies led Verstappen’s inner circle to push for Horner’s removal, resulting in no solid successor emerging within Red Bull. The team brought in Laurent Mekies from Scuderia Ferrari as a replacement, underscoring the challenge in finding an internal leader capable of matching Horner’s influence.
Bernie Ecclestone described Horner’s exit as
“a bit like a marriage that ended in a divorce.”
He praised Horner’s accomplishments and drew parallels between Horner’s role and that of Max Verstappen at Red Bull. Ecclestone emphasized that just as there was no clear plan B for the team principal, the same vulnerability applies to Verstappen, who also lacks a defined successor or capable backup.
“It was a bit like a marriage that ended in a divorce. He did a very good job, but he was viewed, just like Max Verstappen, as someone that did not have a proper number two. It is hard to criticize someone who is winning races and championships, but there was no plan B in case something went wrong with either Christian or Max.”
—Bernie Ecclestone, Former F1 Chief
Lessons from McLaren’s Driver Strategy
Ecclestone contrasted Red Bull’s excessive dependence on Verstappen with McLaren’s balanced driver lineup. McLaren currently boasts two competitive drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who consistently challenge each other throughout the season. This dynamic creates excitement for fans and removes overreliance on a single star performer, providing the Woking-based team with stability and adaptability.
According to Ecclestone, Red Bull’s singular focus on Verstappen could backfire, especially amid rumors linking Verstappen to Mercedes next season. He stressed that having two strong drivers, as McLaren does, only works if both receive equal and competitive cars—a condition Red Bull must consider carefully if it hopes to avoid vulnerability.
“This can cause problems. It is good to have two more or less equal drivers like McLaren has today. It works if you can deliver the exact same machinery for both drivers.”
—Bernie Ecclestone, Former F1 Chief
Red Bull’s Search for a Verstappen Successor Remains Uncertain
As the team increasingly relies on Max Verstappen’s unmatched pace and leadership, Red Bull continues to struggle with finding a potential teammate or eventual successor close to his caliber. With no official announcement yet on who will partner Verstappen in 2026, the team faces pressure to resolve one of its most critical decisions well ahead of the next season.
The lack of clear succession planning for Verstappen echoes the problems experienced after Horner’s departure, amplifying concerns about Red Bull’s long-term stability both on and off the track. This uncertainty comes as the energy drinks giant fights to maintain its dominance during a year of underwhelming performances and internal crises.
The situation underscores how vital it is for Red Bull to develop a contingency strategy both in leadership and driver line-ups, or risk being unprepared for sudden changes that could jeopardize their competitive edge. The lessons from Horner’s exit and Ecclestone’s warnings indicate that unless Red Bull addresses these succession issues urgently, future upheavals may be inevitable.
