Christian Horner organised Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda event just days before ‘surprise’ Red Bull exit

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Red Bull have now completed one of the 406 races in their Formula 1 history without Christian Horner as their team boss.

The Briton was subject to a shock axe following the British Grand Prix, as Red Bull opted to go in a new direction for the future by promoting Laurent Mekies.

While Yuki Tsunoda has struggled this year, Max Verstappen has still managed to deliver results for the team. His two wins after 13 races is their worst run since 2020, however.

They lie fourth in the constructors’ championship, and with a critical reset arriving for the 2026 F1 regulations, the higher-ups decided that a change was necessary. Rumours tying Verstappen to Mercedes can’t have helped much either.

Verstappen has been supportive of Horner since his Red Bull sacking, and it can’t have been easy to see the man he has enjoyed so much success with walk out the door. However, the last 18 months have not gone to plan, and a change was needed.

While the Dutchman is likely to perform with a better car, ‘question marks’ still haunt Tsunoda at Red Bull. There’s a strong possibility that he loses his seat for 2026.

READ MORE: George Russell has privately said which team he would want to race for in 2026 if he were Max Verstappen

Christian Horner organised Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda dinner event before ‘surprise’ Red Bull sacking

Verstappen can’t ‘fool’ Mekies in one department, and it should be an advantage for their car development. His engineering background should help him cure his drivers’ issues.

Horner felt ‘very sad’ about missing the Belgian Grand Prix, but such is the nature of the sport, he could end up with a new team very soon. His experience and skills should be in demand.

He had developed a bond with his team and drivers over the years and was well-respected by his team. Not having a proper goodbye will have been painful.

In fact, just days before his shock exit, journalist Matt Majendie has revealed how Horner organised an evening dinner with his drivers on the weekend of the British Grand Prix.

“I found out that on the Saturday night before Silverstone, so just a few days before he was axed, he had Max Verstappen, and Yuki Tsunoda over at his house for dinner, having a fine old time,” he said on The Inside Track podcast.

“Business as usual, and then I think it came as a surprise to everyone when that announcement happened on Wednesday. It was odd feeling, kind of in the garage, because he’s an immensely popular figure within the factory floor and within the team.”

Have Red Bull changed team principal at the perfect time with 2026 in mind?

With just over six months to go until the 2026 season gets underway officially, Red Bull have some time to make some organisational changes.

If they had left it much longer, they may not have been heading into the new year with a stable setup, which is crucial for long-term success.

Now, the provisions are in place for them to succeed, and it may have put their superstar driver at ease. The Verstappen camp is not interested in a Mercedes move.

While Verstappen may be ‘battling’ Fred Vasseur’s Ferrari cars for the rest of 2025, the hope will be that will continue, but for race wins instead, from next year.