Horner's Payout Clarified, Verstappen's Title Hopes Ignited

Reports regarding Christian Horner's departure from Red Bull Racing and his subsequent payout have been clarified, with figures significantly lower than initially circulated. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen's recent back-to-back victories have reignited discussions about his potential to challenge for the 2025 World Title, despite a significant points deficit.

Why it matters:

Christian Horner's exit from Red Bull has been a significant event, with the financial details drawing considerable attention. Clarifying the actual payout figure is crucial for accurate reporting and understanding the terms of his departure. Simultaneously, Max Verstappen's strong performance, even with a substantial points gap, highlights the unpredictable nature of an F1 season and the enduring competitiveness of top drivers.

The Details:

• Initial reports widely circulated an £80 million payout to Christian Horner following his departure as Red Bull Racing CEO and Team Principal. These figures have since been found to be inaccurate.
• GPblog understands the true sum Horner received for his two-decade tenure at Red Bull Racing to be around £52 million.
• Horner's role at Red Bull was filled by Laurent Mekies, with Alan Permane taking over Mekies' previous position at Racing Bulls.
• Regarding Max Verstappen's title aspirations, he is currently 69 points behind Oscar Piastri in the drivers' standings, with seven Grands Prix and three Sprints remaining in the season.
• Former technical director Gary Anderson praised Verstappen's "flawless" performance in Azerbaijan, noting that while other tracks might not suit the RB21, Red Bull has learned a lot about optimizing the setup for his driving style.
  • Anderson believes Verstappen could still be a contender, stating, "Give him even half a chance and he seems to take it."
• Anderson also emphasized that McLaren "simply cannot afford to keep leaking points" to Verstappen if they aim for their first drivers' title since 2008.
• Beyond F1, Verstappen also celebrated another title win with his GT3 team.

What's next:

With several races and Sprints left, the championship battle remains open. Verstappen's momentum from his recent victories will be a key factor. The focus will be on whether McLaren can maintain their lead and if Red Bull can continue to optimize the RB21 to capitalize on Verstappen's form and close the points gap. The clarity on Horner's payout closes a chapter, but the ongoing season provides plenty of intrigue.