'Thank you for everything': Max Verstappen posts emotional message for Christian Horner after his sacking from Red Bull

Reigning Formula One World Champion Max Verstappen has reacted to the sacking of Christian Horner as the team principal of Red Bull Racing. Horner played a pivotal role in Max’s emergence to the circuit. Horner and Verstappen worked alongside for a total of 198 Grand Prix. Verstappen won 65 of those races. Horner will be replaced by the principal of the sister team Racing Bulls, Laurent Mekies.

Max Verstappen posts emotional message for Christian Horner

With the departure of Christian Horner, an era has seemingly ended at Red Bull, and the franchise’s most successful driver came forward to render a farewell to his long-time team principal. Verstappen has released a short statement thanking Horner for his help throughout his career.

“From my first race win to four world championships, we have shared incredible successes.

“Winning memorable races and breaking countless records. Thank you for everything, Christian!”

Also Read | Christian Horner sacked by Red Bull after 20 years, new CEO and Team Principal named

Why was Christian Horner sacked?

Christian Horner revealed that “no reason” was provided to him for his dismissal from Red Bull. Martin Brundle, a co-commentator on Sky Sports F1, claims that Horner has departed, apparently without providing a reason, RN 365 reported.

“I’m due to speak to Christian a bit later in the day,” stated Brundle. “I got a message through to him to saying, ‘Sorry to read that [on his exit].”

“What he did say to me was that no reason was given to him as to why he’s been released. So that’s the only hard information I have on that.”

“I don’t think it is completely out of the blue given the things that are going on and the problems in the team,” added Brundle. “I am quite sad about it as I consider Christian a friend and he has done an incredible job for 20 years and won an awful lot of races and world championships for drivers and the team.

“But it has not been difficult to feel in the Formula One paddock to observe and hear that things were not particularly rosy.”