This morning the Formula One World was rocked with the news Red Bull boss Christian Horner had been let go/ fired which was kind of expected. Three weeks ago there were rumors that Horner was linked with the head of Ferrari where Frederik Vasseur is in the current post. Those rumors were not taken seriously back then, but things have certainly changed.
Vasseur's contract expires at the end of this season and how the team are performing will not count in his favor. This has been a tough season for Ferrari with no race victories as yet and they do not look as though they are even close.
Horner was in the news for all the wrong reasons last season when a Red Bull female employee called Horner out for sex abuse. These allegations were pushed under the carpet by the owners of Red Bull as the team were winning and producing results. Those days have since vanished and without the performance on track keeping Horner in the job he has nothing left and why this is the first real opportunity they have had.
Another piece of the puzzle is where is Max Verstappen in all of this as he has been linked with other teams. being the current world champion he has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave if the car performance is not there. We know Max is not happy and his father Jos has been very vocal about Horner saying if he stays then the team would implode.
I do think the departure of Adrian Newey who was their genius car designer and engineer was the start of the end for the team. Newey not Horner or Max were the reason for the world titles as the car was that good and only 1 year later it is clearly showing the team is in trouble.
Max may stay, but there is a huge risk that the new engine that Red Bull are developing may not actually be any good. The new car and new engines being launched next year start a new era and the chances are Max is not confident to believe Red Bull are going to be genuine title challengers. He has been linked with Aston Martin teaming back up with Newey again which makes more sense than moving to Mercedes. These are the two teams he has been linked with and these rumors don't just happen for no reason. Where there is smoke there is fire and was highlighted with the Horner rumor 3 weeks ago and now look at the news today.
Horner will either end up at Ferrari which is highly likely or at the new team Cadillac which joins Formula One in 2026. I expect Horner at Ferrari now that the news is public within the next 3 weeks as why wait till the end of the season. Formula One team decisions are made rather quickly and with the teams on a 3 week mid season holiday this is the perfect time to make those changes.