George Russell suggests Verstappens 'manipulated' Horner's Red Bull exit

Mercedes driver George Russell has theorized that Max Verstappen and his father Jos used their influence to orchestrate the ousting of former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner last season. His comments, filmed for the upcoming 'Drive to Survive' series, could reignite tensions within the F1 paddock given his strained relationship with the reigning world champion.

Why it matters:

Russell's public speculation touches on the intense power dynamics and political maneuvering at the highest level of Formula 1. Accusing a rival driver and his influential father of "manipulation" to remove a long-serving, successful team boss highlights the potential for personnel battles to be as critical as on-track performance in shaping a team's destiny. It also underscores the lasting ripple effects of the Horner scandal beyond 2024.

The details:

• Christian Horner was dismissed by Red Bull after the 2025 British Grand Prix, ending a 20-year tenure that included championship wins with Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.
• His exit followed a turbulent period that began with allegations of inappropriate conduct in early 2024 and coincided with a dip in the team's competitive form against McLaren.
• During the initial scandal, Jos Verstappen was vocally critical, suggesting the team would "explode" if Horner remained.
• Russell's comments emerged during a period of uncertainty about his own Mercedes future, as Max Verstappen was heavily linked with a seat at the team.
• In the interview, Russell stated: "The Verstappens clearly have a lot of power in that team. They like to manipulate situations quite a lot... I wonder if all of this is a bit of a play and a stir, trying to put pressure on Red Bull, that he'll only continue there if Christian is gone."
• History proved Russell's theory incorrect, as Verstappen remained at Red Bull after Horner's departure due to a performance clause in his contract, not as a direct result of it.

What's next:

The airing of these comments in the popular Netflix series is likely to bring the speculation back into the spotlight.

• The focus now shifts to how Max Verstappen will react to his rival's characterization of his family's actions, potentially adding another layer of friction to their relationship.
• For Red Bull, it serves as a reminder of the intense scrutiny and internal politics the team navigated during its leadership transition, even as it focuses on closing the performance gap to McLaren and Mercedes in 2026.