Christian Horner takes no prisoners after ‘sext’ scandal as Red Bull boss swings axe in bid to avoid another horror year
CHRISTIAN HORNER is taking no prisoners just one-year on from his ‘sexting’ scandal.
The Red Bull boss’ ruthless axing of Liam Lawson for Yuki Tsunoda after just two races showed he will do anything it takes to avoid a repeat of last year’s horror show.
As Horner said in the very first episode of the latest series of Drive to Survive: “The buck stops with me.”
Red Bull finished third in the constructors’ championship last season, as the team was rocked after Horner was accused by a female colleague of “inappropriate behaviour”.
The 51-year-old was twice cleared by an independent investigation, but there was then a string of high profile exits, including legendary designer Adrian Newey and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley.
And Max Verstappen had to block out his dad Jos’ explosive rows with Horner over the scandal – and deal with a shoddy car – to seal a consecutive fourth world title, and spare the team’s blushes.
Horner wanted to leave that sordid season behind him, but he was savagely reminded when he was booed by thousands at the O2 F1 live event in February ahead of the new season.
The paddock hasn’t forgotten either, with Horner’s rival, McLaren boss Zak Brown, recently saying he should be feeling “vulnerable” in his position.
Horner has overseen eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships as Red Bull team principal, but both are already looking under threat this season.
Sergio Perez and Alex Albon have found before Lawson that driving a car tailored to four-time world champion Verstappen is no easy ride.
The hiring and firing policy of the brutal Red Bull system under Horner and senior adviser Helmut Marko has been hit or miss over the years.
Christian Klein, Scott Speed, Sebastien Bourdais, Sebastien Buemi, Jaime Alguersuari, Jean-Eric Vergne, Daniil Kvyat, Brendon Hartley, Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon have all been chewed up and spat out since the team started out in 2005.
In recent years the second driver at Red Bull walks into the team knowing full well they will always be the bridesmaid and never the bride to Verstappen, who along with Sebastian Vettel, is the only driver unscathed so far by Horner’s ruthless policy.
Sometimes Horner has made on paper the right decision, with Perez finishing a whopping 285 points behind Verstappen before he was replaced by Lawson.
If the Mexican driver had raced in only the first two grands prix of the season, and none of the other 22, Red Bull would still have finished third.
Kiwi driver Lawson, 23, suffered a dreadful start, being knocked out at the first stage of all three qualifying sessions including for the sprint and also failed to pick up a single point.
Verstappen is still said to be unhappy with Red Bull’s decision despite them already being 42 points behind the reigning champions, McLaren, while Verstappen is second in the drivers’ championship, eight points behind Lando Norris.
Horner said in a Red Bull statement confirming the news on Thursday morning: “It has been difficult to see Liam struggle with the RB21 at the first two races and as a result, we have collectively taken the decision to make an early switch.
“We acknowledge there is a lot of work to be done with the RB21 and Yuki’s experience will prove highly beneficial in helping to develop the current car.
“We have a duty of care to protect and develop Liam and together, we see that after such a difficult start, it makes sense to act quickly so Liam can gain experience, as he continues his F1 career with Racing Bulls, an environment and a Team he knows very well.”
Red Bull chose to promote Lawson from their junior squad Racing Bulls after just 11 Grand Prix appearances in two short spells across 2023 and 2024, despite Tsunoda having more experience.
Only time will tell if history repeats itself for Tsunoda.