Verstappen Baffled by 'Weird' Horner Question Amidst Title Fight
Max Verstappen expressed bewilderment at a question linking Red Bull's recent performance surge to Christian Horner's departure, as the reigning champion remains in a tight title fight. Red Bull's form has significantly improved since Horner's exit, leading to speculation on the impact of the leadership change and their late-season charge.
Max Verstappen found himself perplexed by a question regarding whether Red Bull's recent resurgence would have been possible under Christian Horner's continued leadership, especially as the reigning World Champion remains mathematically in the title fight with three races left.
Why it matters:
Red Bull's leadership transition, with Horner's sudden departure and Laurent Mekies taking charge, has coincided with a significant performance uplift for Max Verstappen. The question surrounding Horner's influence highlights the dramatic shift in Red Bull's trajectory this season, from struggling to maintain dominance to mounting a late-season charge, sparking debate on the factors behind this turnaround.
The details:
- Horner's Departure and Settlement: Christian Horner, Red Bull's long-serving team principal, was sacked after the British Grand Prix and officially left in September, reportedly securing a settlement agreement worth around $100 million. This deal could potentially allow him to return to F1 as early as next year.
- Reasons for Ousting: While Red Bull provided no official explanation, motorsport advisor Helmut Marko indicated that performance was one of several contributing factors to Horner's removal.
- Performance Under Horner: In the first 12 races of the season under Horner, Verstappen secured only five podiums, with just two wins, a stark contrast to Red Bull's dominant 2023 season.
- Performance Under Mekies: Since Horner's exit and Mekies' leadership, Verstappen has significantly improved, more than doubling his points tally and achieving a seven-race podium streak, almost guaranteeing him a championship podium finish this season.
- Verstappen's Reaction: When asked if Red Bull's comeback would have happened with Horner still in charge, Verstappen described it as a "really weird question," emphasizing the team's strong performance in recent races without directly attributing it to the leadership change.
The big picture:
Red Bull's season has been a tale of two halves. After a dominant 2023, the team's advantage was significantly eroded by McLaren in the early part of this season. The dramatic change in leadership and subsequent surge in performance for Verstappen has reshaped the championship narrative, showcasing the fluidity and competitive nature of Formula 1. Verstappen's current position, though mathematically possible, requires significant luck, pointing to McLaren's superior overall performance this year.
What's next:
Verstappen heads into the Las Vegas Grand Prix needing a strong performance and some fortune to keep his title hopes alive against Lando Norris. The championship outcome will largely depend on Norris's results, with specific scenarios dictating whether Verstappen can extend his fight to the final races.
- If Norris wins in Las Vegas, Verstappen must finish second to stay in contention, with only a two-point margin.
- If Norris finishes second, Verstappen needs at least fifth place.
- If Norris finishes third, Verstappen needs sixth place to avoid elimination on countback.
Verstappen acknowledges the need for luck and is focused on delivering strong performances in the remaining races, hinting at closing the book on the season after Abu Dhabi.