Christian Horner allies were ‘briskly escorted out’ of Red Bull factory after he was sacked

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Christian Horner still has many supporters inside the Red Bull team. That’s an inevitability given that he was in charge for 20 years and oversaw well over 100 Grand Prix victories.

And this isn’t to say that they aren’t backing replacement Laurent Mekies. On the contrary, Mekies has already impressed Red Bull staff with his proactive approach to the role.

But some feel that Horner was not treated fairly when the decision was made earlier this month. The team have been extremely reluctant to explain why he was sacked.

Helmut Marko has tried to rally Red Bull employees by telling them all to work 10% harder. That message apparently went down like ‘a lead balloon’.

Red Bull insider says recalls how Paul Smith and Oliver Hughes followed Christian Horner

A report from The Daily Mail reveals new details about Horner’s exit. One team insider says he ‘had everyone’s back’, referring to those ‘on the ground at the races’ rather than the ‘high-ups’.

It’s already been suggested that Horner could spark a Red Bull exodus if he sets up shop at another team. He’s not yet confirmed whether he wants to return to F1.

On the same day that Horner left, it emerged that Red Bull had also sacked Paul Smith, their communications chief, and marketing boss Oliver Hughes. They were seen as staunch allies.

And one witness says they were ‘briskly escorted out’ of the Red Bull factory in Milton Keynes. Smith clashed with Jos Verstappen, father of the team’s four-time world champion Max, at the British GP.

Does Jos Verstappen deserve credit for his reaction to Christian Horner exit?

The relationship between Horner and Verstappen Sr was known to be tense, if not outright hostile. But his son doesn’t necessarily share those sentiments.

Indeed, it’s emerged that Verstappen is open to working with Horner again if it’s the right fit. His camp have ruled out any direct involvement in the sacking.

Back in the F1 paddock at Spa, Jos Verstappen is said to be behaving respectfully. There’s no sign of him ‘dancing on Horner’s demise’.

The former driver arguably deserves credit for putting aside his personal enmities. It’s crucial that the team are united, with rivals no doubt hoping that they’ll fall apart.