Verstappen on Red Bull's Turnaround After Horner's Exit: 'You Can't Know For Sure'

Max Verstappen remains non-committal on whether Christian Horner’s departure as Red Bull team principal played a role in the team’s recent resurgence. After trailing Oscar Piastri by a significant 104 points following the Dutch Grand Prix, Verstappen has dramatically closed the gap to just 40 points, coinciding with a leadership change at Red Bull.

Why it matters:

Red Bull’s dramatic mid-season turnaround, from struggling to contend for the championship to a strong resurgence, raises questions about the factors at play. The timing of this shift, alongside a major leadership change, offers a fascinating case study in team dynamics and performance in Formula 1. A team's internal cohesion and leadership are often as critical as technical upgrades in sustained success.

The Details:

• Initial Struggles: Red Bull, dominant in the first two years of F1's ground-effect era, lost the Constructors' title to McLaren last season. This year, they appeared on track to lose the Drivers' crown as well.
• McLaren's Early Lead: Piastri and Lando Norris secured 12 of the first 15 Grands Prix, with Piastri leading Norris by 34 points after Zandvoort. Verstappen was a distant 104 points behind Piastri.
• Red Bull's Resurgence: Momentum shifted at the Italian Grand Prix, where an upgraded floor for the RB21 improved balance and handling. Verstappen secured wins in Italy, Baku, and Austin.
• Leadership Change: This turnaround occurred under the new team principal, Laurent Mekies, who replaced Christian Horner. Horner's dismissal followed a controversial 18 months, including sexual harassment allegations, for which he was cleared twice. He was officially removed and parted ways with Red Bull last month after a reported $100 million settlement.
• Verstappen's Stance: Verstappen stated to De Telegraaf that he couldn't "possibly know for sure" if Horner's exit triggered the turnaround. However, he expressed satisfaction with the team's current dynamics, including the relationship between Austrian and Thai shareholders, noting, "Everyone is on the same wavelength."
• Improved Atmosphere: He added that he now approaches the track with "a more pleasant feeling," attributing this partly to improved results and a more competitive car.

Between the lines:

Verstappen's comments highlight the delicate balance of team performance, leadership, and internal harmony. While he doesn't directly credit Horner's exit, his emphasis on "everyone being on the same wavelength" and a "more pleasant feeling" strongly suggests that the leadership change has positively impacted the team's environment. The timing of the performance surge, post-Horner's departure and significant upgrades, indicates a multifaceted improvement within the Red Bull camp.

What's next:

Verstappen faces a challenging path to claim the title, needing to outscore Piastri by an average of eight points per race and Norris by 5.2 points. However, his recent performance (averaging 16 points more than Piastri and 11 more than Norris in the last four races) indicates he is well-equipped for this task. The remainder of the season will test Red Bull's newfound cohesion and performance, determining if their mid-season turnaround can culminate in a championship victory.