Verstappen Still Calls Sacked Boss Horner His 'Biggest Fan' Amid Red Bull Revival

Max Verstappen and Christian Horner maintain a close, weekly contact, with the three-time champion calling his former boss his "biggest fan." This relationship persists despite Horner's mid-season sacking, which Verstappen privately acknowledges was a necessary change that revitalized the team's atmosphere and performance, leading to a late-season title charge.

Why it matters:

This situation highlights the complex personal loyalties within F1's high-pressure environment. Verstappen's continued support for Horner, despite the team's clear improvement, shows the deep bond forged during their championship-winning years. It also underscores how team culture and morale can be as critical to performance as the car itself, a factor that had nearly cost Red Bull its competitive edge before the leadership change.

The details:

• Horner was replaced by Laurent Mekies in July after a "toxic" period marked by poor results, internal power struggles, and off-track controversy.
• Verstappen confirmed he and Horner communicate "every week, every race weekend" via text, with messages of support and luck. "It's more about ‘I wish you good luck’ and 'I believe in you’ - biggest fan," Verstappen said.
• The Dutch driver emphasized their shared history, noting how Horner "really went through fire for me," especially during their intense 2021 title battle.
• Despite this loyalty, Verstappen admitted the change was for the better. "The team is doing well... You see people smiling, it's a nice environment... The Red Bull style was a bit lost or gone."
  • He confirmed the positive shift, simply stating, "Yes, and that [team spirit] has definitely returned."

Looking ahead:

The revived team spirit under Mekies' leadership positions Red Bull as a stronger contender for the 2025 season. While Verstappen's personal allegiance to Horner remains, his focus is clearly on the current group's upward trajectory. The key question will be whether this renewed harmony can be sustained and translated into a consistent championship challenge against rivals like McLaren and Ferrari.