With the expulsion of Christian Horner, Red Bull ended an era in Formula 1. For almost 20 years, the British team boss was at the bulls – and has always had a favorite opponent in this function, especially in his recent years: Toto Wolff and Mercedes.
The feud in the heated World Cup fight in 2021 between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen had its peak. But even afterwards, Horner and Wolff kept coming together, partly behind the scenes and documented by the Netflix cameras in the paddock.
A few days before his release, Horner fell against Mercedes one last time as Red Bull team leader. Topic this time: The Formula 1 engines 2026. Because Red Bull will start for the first time with completely own power units next year.
“The challenge is enormous. But we have an extremely capable team. We have invested considerably. We have a great culture within the team,” said Horner as part of the team boss press conference in Silverstone a week ago.
But because it is Red Bull’s first own Formula 1 engine, you shouldn’t expect to be in front of an established manufacturer like Mercedes in the first year, because: “That would be embarrassing for Mercedes if we were, or for any other manufacturer,” says Horner.
Horner: Motor program “long -term” right for Red Bull
One last stitch against Mercedes, with the attempt to push the complete pressure for the coming season to the other manufacturers. Because what Horner says: If Mercedes 2026 ends up in front of Red Bull, this is not a special achievement because everyone can expect it anyway.
If, on the other hand, Red Bull, on the other hand, would not throw good light on the established manufacturer Mercedes, which has been building Formula 1 engines for several decades. According to Horner’s logic, Mercedes can only lose – and only win Red Bull.
The then Red Bull team boss said about his own engine program: “The great thing is that everything is united under one roof. Chassis engineers sit alongside motor engineers. You shouldn’t underestimate that when it comes to packaging.”
“If you have the possibility that these groups can communicate directly with each other and have a cup of coffee in the same facility, this is of an invaluable value and will pay off,” Horner is certain.
Therefore, Red Bull 2026 will also be “competitive,” Horner announced, although he also emphasized that his own engine program may not be paid out in the first or second year, “but in the long term it is 100 percent the right decision for Red Bull,” said Horner.
A week after these statements, he is no longer part of the project.