Christian Horner once named Max Verstappen’s only weakness as a Formula 1 driver

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Approaching the 2026 season, Christian Horner is currently on the lookout for a new Formula 1 gig.

The Briton was let go by Red Bull in the summer, as they decided that a new management structure was necessary to take the team forward.

It helped to spark a turnaround, as Max Verstappen went on to challenge for the drivers’ championship, missing out on it by two points.

In hindsight, moving on from Horner wasn’t a bad move. New boss Laurent Mekies has helped to bring fresh ideas to the Milton Keynes-based outfit.

Would you like to see Christian Horner revive his rivalry with Toto Wolff?

Horner could make his F1 comeback with Alpine, who will have Mercedes engines from 2026 to 2030

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Horner’s ‘mindset’ has changed since leaving Red Bull, and he’s now far more relaxed about making a comeback than when he first left the paddock.

Horner could take full control of the Alpine if he can reach a deal that would see him also take an ownership stake in the team. It’s something that he’s particularly keen on.

READ MORE: What Christian Horner said when asked about rumoured talks with Alpine F1 team

Christian Horner once admitted Max Verstappen needed to be less ‘eager’ to win in F1

Helmut Marko accused Horner of ‘dirty tricks’ recently, suggesting that he had purposefully attempted to make his life difficult at Red Bull.

Now, both of them are out of a job, and it’s most unlikely that the Austrian advisor will be looking for a new project at the age of 82.

Both played a pivotal role in the rise of Red Bull superstar Verstappen, who himself was linked with a departure over the summer.

Horner once revealed what he felt the Dutchman’s main weakness was back in 2023, admitting that he was a bit too ‘impatient’.

“What makes Max different? What makes him a champion? Speed? He’s always had that,” he told the F1 YouTube channel. “Bravery? That was always there, too. But sometimes, he was too impatient.

“Too eager to beat the rest and be the best. He was a natural yes, but he had to learn to tame his extraordinary talent. There’s no better teacher than experience.”

READ MORE: Christian Horner told why Helmut Marko is the bigger Red Bull F1 ‘legend’ now they have both left

Was 2025 Max Verstappen’s best Formula 1 campaign so far?

Verstappen has a ‘deep passion’ for motorsport, and his range of skills across a variety of disciplines is something that will help him on track.

Post-summer break, he scored ten consecutive podium finishes and was virtually faultless on track. He wrung every last tenth out of the RB21.

From that far behind, there are a few drivers who wouldn’t have given up, but certainly wouldn’t have been giving 110% every weekend.

It’s those characteristics which make him one of the best drivers of all time already, and he isn’t even 30 years old yet. 2025 was his best performance ever, even though he didn’t claim the title.