David Coulthard pays tribute to his former boss Christian Horner after Red Bull sacking

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The world of Formula 1 was left stunned on Wednesday by the news that Red Bull have sacked team principal Christian Horner.

The Milton Keynes outfit have made the dramatic decision at the halfway point of the 2025 season, as they sit 288 points behind McLaren in the standings. Red Bull ‘sources’ say the team’s struggles caused Horner’s demise, as it heightened the tense atmosphere around them.

Max Verstappen had been calling for change at Red Bull as he slips further away from the title fight. With the Dutchman 69 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri, he demanded Horner’s power to be limited or for him to be outright replaced.

On Wednesday, it was confirmed that the team had parted company with the 51-year-old with immediate effect. Bernie Ecclestone was perplexed by Red Bull’s decision, stating that something must have gone terribly wrong for them to sack him on the spot.

Verstappen had a ‘final standoff’ with Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff as he pushed for Horner to be shown the door. Racing Bulls boss Laurent Mekies will replace the Brit, making him only the second team principal in Red Bull’s history.

David Coulthard pays tribute to Christian Horner after his Red Bull exit

Horner was hired as team principal in 2005 after Red Bull bought out Jaguar. Not many would have predicted what the then-31-year-old would go on to achieve.

He guided the team from the midfield to championship winners, grabbing eight drivers’ titles with Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen and six constructors’ trophies. His success with Red Bull has prompted many tributes from key figures after his sudden exit.

Verstappen sent an emotional message to Horner on social media, thanking him for being so instrumental in his incredible F1 career. Flavio Briatore also messaged Horner, with there now being rumours that he could lure his close friend to Alpine for his next challenge.

Speaking to Sky Sports at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, David Coulthard paid tribute to Horner by sharing the achievements he had accomplished with Red Bull.

“I think that the results say everything. I think there were a couple of postings yesterday listing all of the victories the team has had, all of the world championships.

“So, that’s it, that’s the credits that the whole team have collectively put out on the race track and Christian was the team principal for those 20 years.”

READ MORE: Know all about Red Bull team principal Christian Horner with net worth to wife

David Coulthard scored Red Bull’s first ever F1 podium

Coulthard played a huge part in Red Bull’s history, as he, Christian Klien and Vitantonio Liuzzi became the first drivers to race for the team in 2005.

The Scotsman came to the team off the back of nine seasons with McLaren, when he regularly fought for podiums and race wins. His expertise was crucial for Red Bull as they looked to build up from the midfield.

He spent four seasons with the team before retiring in 2008. Coulthard made history at the 2006 Monaco Grand Prix as he scored Red Bull’s first F1 podium, before grabbing their second at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix.

Speaking after his podium in Monaco, he said, via quotes from Crash: “It’s so great, fantastic. It’s been a couple of years since I was on the podium, so it’s especially great to finish on it here in Monaco. It’s the first podium for Red Bull Racing too and a great reward for all the team’s hard work.

“Monaco’s always a tough race. Once you get into it, you think you’ve done about fifty laps, but then you see that you’ve only done about twelve. It’s such a hard, physical race and takes a lot out of you.”