Steiner’s warning to Horner: The shrinking protection of Red Bull’s dominance as Max Verstappen rumours shake Red Bull’s stability – Former Haas team boss Guenther Steiner has expressed concern about the future of Red Bull Racing and its leader Christian Horner, amid rumours of Max Verstappen’s possible departure.
With Red Bull facing a decline in performance and internal strife, Steiner’s warning is a stark reminder that even the most dominant teams can find themselves vulnerable. At the heart of the matter is Verstappen, the team’s star driver, who is said to have become disillusioned with his team’s internal conflicts and faltering success.
Red Bull’s once unassailable position in F1 has been eroded as other teams, such as McLaren, have closed the gap. This has left both Red Bull and their top driver in a precarious position.
With Verstappen’s contract running until 2028, many believe his future with the team is secure, but Steiner has suggested otherwise. He believes Verstappen could be tempted by offers from rival teams such as Mercedes, increasing the pressure on Horner to not only restore the team’s former glory, but also secure the loyalty of its top talent.
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Red Bull’s struggles: From dominance to decline
Red Bull Racing began the season with an air of invincibility, dominating the early races and appearing poised to continue their reign at the top of Formula One. However, a series of poor performances and strategic missteps has seen the team fall behind in both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships.
McLaren, once considered a distant rival, has overtaken Red Bull in the team standings, while Verstappen is now in a fierce battle to retain his title.
The decline in Red Bull’s performance has been accompanied by rumours of unrest within the team. Three-time world champion Verstappen is said to be unhappy with the internal dynamics at Red Bull, which have become increasingly tense as the team’s performance has faltered. The Dutchman’s unhappiness has fuelled speculation that he is considering a move to a rival team, with Mercedes emerging as the most likely destination.
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Steiner’s view: Horner’s job on the line
Speaking on the ‘Red Flags Podcast’, Steiner addressed the mounting pressure on Horner, suggesting that his position as Red Bull Team Principal could be at risk if the team’s decline continues. Steiner, who worked alongside Horner during the early years of Red Bull Racing in the mid-2000s, noted that success in F1 often acts as a shield for team principals.
But when that success fades, so does the protection.
“When you’re winning, it doesn’t matter what you do, it’s always somehow OK,” Steiner said. “But when you’re no longer winning, you become vulnerable.” He likened the situation to wearing a “bulletproof vest” that gets “thinner and thinner” as the challenges mount. Steiner warned that if Horner cannot lead Red Bull back to victory, he will face increasing criticism and possibly even job insecurity.
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Verstappen’s future: Mercedes beckons?
One of the biggest threats to Horner’s tenure at Red Bull, according to Steiner, is the potential departure of Verstappen. The Dutchman has been the cornerstone of Red Bull’s success in recent years, but his loyalty to the team may be wavering. Mercedes have made no secret of their desire to sign Verstappen, and with Red Bull struggling, the idea of a move to the Silver Arrows could become more attractive.
Steiner, now a TV pundit, believes there is some truth to the rumours linking Verstappen with Mercedes. Despite Verstappen’s long-term contract with Red Bull, Steiner suggested that in F1 contracts often carry little weight when a driver decides to move on.
“I can see him ending up at Mercedes,” Steiner remarked, adding that Verstappen has “other options” beyond Red Bull.
For Steiner, 2026 is the year he envisages Verstappen moving to Mercedes, although he acknowledged that much of the current speculation is just that – speculation. However, Steiner emphasised the old adage that “there’s no smoke without fire”, implying that the rumours surrounding Verstappen’s potential departure are not without substance.
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George Russell: A possible replacement for Verstappen?
If Verstappen does leave Red Bull, Steiner believes the team will need to find a high-profile driver to fill the void. He suggested that Mercedes driver George Russell could be a suitable replacement for Verstappen should the Dutchman make the move to the Silver Arrows. Russell, who has shown great promise since joining Mercedes, could be available at the right time for Red Bull to make a move.
“Christian (Horner) needs a top driver and George will definitely be available,” speculated Steiner. While it remains to be seen whether Russell would be willing to leave Mercedes, the prospect of a Verstappen-Russell swap between the two teams adds another layer of intrigue to the ongoing speculation surrounding the F1 driver market.
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Internal struggles and external pressures: Red Bull’s crossroads
Red Bull’s internal struggles, combined with external pressure from rival teams, have created a perfect storm of uncertainty for the Austrian outfit. The team’s once dominant position in F1 is now under threat, and the potential loss of Verstappen would be a significant blow to its chances of regaining its former glory.
For Christian Horner, the challenge is twofold: not only must he find a way to improve the team’s performance on the track, but he must also manage the growing unrest within his ranks.
Steiner’s comments underline the precarious nature of success in F1. As long as Red Bull was winning, Horner’s leadership was unquestioned. But with the team’s fortunes now in decline, the pressure on Horner is mounting. The “bulletproof vest” that once protected him is becoming “thinner and thinner”, and if Red Bull’s struggles continue, Horner could find himself in the crosshairs of those looking for someone to blame.
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The road ahead: Can Red Bull bounce back?
As the 2024 season gets underway, the future of Red Bull Racing remains uncertain. The team has the talent and resources to compete at the highest level, but internal strife and external pressures have raised questions about its ability to maintain its dominance. Christian Horner, once seen as the architect of Red Bull’s success, now faces the challenge of keeping his team – and his job – on track.
For Max Verstappen, the decision whether to stay with Red Bull or seek a fresh start with a rival team will be a defining moment in his career. Although he is contracted until 2028, the lure of a new challenge with Mercedes could prove too tempting to resist. If Verstappen does decide to leave, Red Bull will need to move quickly to secure a high-profile replacement, with George Russell emerging as a potential candidate.
In the high-stakes world of Formula One, nothing is ever certain. But one thing is clear: the pressure on Red Bull Racing, Christian Horner and Max Verstappen has never been greater. Whether the team can rise to the challenge or crumble under the weight of expectations remains to be seen.
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Red Bull have been hammered by most writers and fans in the Formula One world for their handling of Daniel Ricciardo’s departure. Ricciardo claimed on Thursday before the race in Singapore he believed there would be big decisions made on the team’s 2025 lineup.
Yet his demeanour after coming last but with the token fastest lap, was of that of a man who knew he’d raced his last time in F1. Dr. Helmut Marko admitted Ricciardo was told before the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday that he would be replaced by Liam Lawson come the next outing in Austin, Texas.
The world championship winning F1 team appear to be in a muddle of the future of their drivers and even Max Verstappen has been rumoured to be looking elsewhere for 2026. Sergio Perez was awarded another one year deal earlier this season, but his performances since have been the worst amongst the eight drivers for the…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
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