Christian Horner: McLaren chief Zak Brown ‘not surprised’ by sacking of former Red Bull boss ahead of Belgian GP | F1 News
McLaren CEO Zak Brown says he was “not surprised” by the dismissal of Christian Horner after “a lot of drama” in Red Bull in the past two years.
Horner was moved as CEO and director of the Red Bull team three days after the British Grand Prix and replaced by Laurent Mekies after more than 20 years in charge of the team.
Sky Sports News Understands no reason has been given to Horner for his dismissal and the 51 -year -old said that the news was a “shock”.
“I may be [surprised by] Timing, but not the result, “Brown told Canadian television channel Tsn Before the Belgian Grand Prix of this weekend.
“I think there has been a lot of drama in recent years, and it does not seem that this drama has calmed down – perhaps stuffed.
“So, I am not surprised, at any time in the middle of the season. But we are heading for our championship. They have max [Verstappen] I always hit the door, so we have to pay attention to it. But, yes, a lot of success they had. “”
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After his dismissal after 20 years as director of the team, Christian Horner gave an emotional farewell to the staff of Red Bull and says that it was the greatest privilege of his life
Horner, who joined Red Bull in 2005 as the younger director of the F1 team, has faced a turbulent last 18 months on the track.
The allegations of inappropriate behavior brought against him in February 2024 by a colleague were rejected following two internal surveys, one of which was last year. Horner denied the accusations throughout.
McLaren has exceeded Red Bull as a dominant team in F1 while several high -level characters have left Milton Keynes outfit in the last 12 months, notably the legendary designer Adrian Newey in Aston Martin and sports director Jonathan Wheatley in Sauber.
The future of Verstappen was also questioned with Mercedes confirming that they are in talks with the Dutch camp for a shock.
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In the program F1, Ted Kravitz suggests that Jos and Max Verstappen won the power struggle to Red Bull against Christian Horner, who was dismissed as director of the team
As for Horner, Sky Sports News Understands that he is serving a period of garden leave until the end of this year, so a return to F1 will only take place as of January 2026.
“Given his age and his history in motor racing, I would be surprised if he did not show up somewhere in the racing,” said Brown.
“But I don’t know his other interests, if he wants to go lead a football team or what you have. So we’ll see.”
Sky Sports F1 live Belgian GP Belgian
Thursday July 24
1 p.m.: Pilot press conference
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Go back to some of the most dramatic moments over the years at the Belgian Grand Prix
Friday July 25
7:55 am: F3 Practical
9:05 am: F2 Practical
11 am: Belgian GP Practice One (the session starts at 11:30 am)
12:55 p.m.: F3 Qualification
1:50 p.m.: F2 Qualification
3 p.m.: Belgian GP Sprint Qualify (the session starts at 3.30 p.m.)
Saturday July 26
8:10 am: Sprint F3
10 am: Belgian GP sprint (bright at 11 a.m.)
12:20 p.m.: Ted sprint notebook
12:40 p.m.: F2 Sprint
2 p.m.: Belgian GP Qualify (the session starts at 3 p.m.)
5 p.m.: Ted’s qualification book
Sunday July 27
7:25 am: F3 functionalities race
8:55 am: F2 functionality breed
10:40 am: Porsche Supercup Race
12:30 p.m.: Grand Prix Sunday: Belgian GP Build-Up *
2 p.m.: The Belgian Grand Prix *
4 p.m.: Checkered flag: Belgian GP reaction *
5 p.m.: Ted’s notebook
*Live on the main event of Sky Sports
The Formula 1 2025 season resumes this weekend with the Belgian Grand Prix while the Sprint format returns, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with now – no contract, cancel at any time.
