Christian Horner believes that full responsibility for his Red Bull exit lies with former advisor Helmut Marko, rather than Max Verstappen, and his father Jos. 

Horner, who had spent over 20 years with the team, was relieved of his duties in July and was replaced by Laurent Mekies as Red Bull's new team principal for the 2025 season.

The 52-year-old had been in charge of the team since 2005, which was their first season in Formula One, and oversaw two periods of dominance in the sport. 

He led Red Bull to six constructors' and eight drivers' championships, the latest of which came two years ago when Verstappen claimed his fourth consecutive world title. 

A drop in performance midway through the 2024 season saw Red Bull relinquish their constructors' title to McLaren, who also won the drivers' crown in 2025 with Lando Norris. 

Marko later revealed performance was the primary reason for Horner's dismissal, but the former Red Bull team principal gave his version of events in the latest series of Netflix's Formula 1: Drive to Survive. 

"I feel a real sense of loss and hurt. It was all rather sudden. I didn't really get the chance to say a proper goodbye," Horner said of his exit from the team. 

"I never imagined to be in this position. Of course, your immediate reaction when you're delivered a s*** sandwich like that is to say '**** them'.

"I've had something taken away from me that wasn't my choice that was very precious to me."

BREAKING: Christian Horner is to exit Red Bull Racing with immediate effect#F1 pic.twitter.com/v50mwnBlV6

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 9, 2025

It was also suggested that Horner's relationship with four-time world champion Verstappen had deteriorated to the point that the Dutchman was considering a move to Mercedes.

At the time of Horner's departure, Verstappen had only won two of the season's first 12 races by that point, though he did win six of 12 from then on.

Those six wins arrived in the final nine weeks of the campaign and saw him miss out on a record-equalling fifth consecutive world title, finishing two points behind Norris.

But Horner insists he was ultimately ousted after a power struggle at Red Bull following the death of team owner and founder Dietrich Mateschitz in October 2022.

"His father has never been my biggest fan. He's been outspoken about me. But I don't believe the Verstappens were responsible in any way," Verstappen added. 

"I think this was a decision that was made by Oliver Mintzlaff, with Helmut advising from the sideline.

"I think ultimately things changed within the business, within the group.

"The founder died, and after Dietrich [Mateschitz]'s death, I think probably I was deemed to have maybe too much control."