Former F1 driver convinced of Verstappen's departure: 'Red Bull is falling apart'

19:53, 17 Jul

Updated: 21:05, 17 Jul

byNicole Mulder

Former Formula 1 driver Jaime Alguersuari sees the dismissal of Christian Horner as the definitive end of a golden era at Red Bull Racing.

After 20 years as the team principal of the Austrian team, the Brit was suddenly fired, and replaced by Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies.

According to the Spaniard, the team has been rudderless for a while, and Max Verstappen will also depart in the short term.

Christian Horner will now vacate a position he held for two decades after being fired as team principal of Red Bull Racing after a turbulent period.

End of an era for Red Bull

"I think it's the end of an era, to be honest," says Alguersuari on the Chequered Flag podcast about Horner's departure.

"It's been a long journey for Christian and his team. Obviously, I wasn't related directly with him because I was racing for the B team (Toro Rosso, now Racing Bulls ed.), let's say. But I was doing a lot of services for Red Bull Technology. That includes simulator work, and obviously, I was a reserve driver for Red Bull racing at first, also before my official drive in Toro Rosso."

Alguersuari has always had a lot of respect for Red Bull's achievements: "They have done great in Formula One. Better than expected, I think. You know, they've won a lot, considering their time in the sport."

"It's an energy drink, and considering their time in the sport, and if you compare them to other teams like Ferrari or McLaren, it's insane what they've won in that short period of time. And of course, part of that is Christian's work. We have to be clear and we have to be honest."

But according to him, that successful period is really over now: "Nothing lasts forever. You can't win forever, you don't lose forever. It's a change of an era now. Who knows what's going to come for Red Bull? I'm not sure."

'Verstappen is leaving Red Bull'

The former Toro Rosso driver then went on to talk about the continued rumours surrounding the future of Max Verstappen, with the Spaniard seeing unrest within the team for a long time.

"What I can say is that there was a lot going on inside in the last few years with so many different decisions from Dr. Helmut Marko, Christian, different Red Bull drivers going back and forth."

He also sees the departure of Adrian Newey as a sign of the times. "Adrian Newey left for a reason. There must be a reason for his exit. And now it looks like the whole team is falling apart. That's how I see it from the outside, really. And I'm completely sure Max will leave as well."