The current F1 season has been full of surprises and drama. While some of these changes have also altered the course of the sport, others have laid the groundwork for future changes. Among the many changes, one of the most significant news items came from the Red Bull Racing camp, when Christian Horner relinquished his duties as team boss.
While the startling decision gave fans much to worry about, it has not been all chaos in Red Bull Racing. Red Bull driver Max Verstappen spoke more about this when he revealed the significant changes that have occurred since Christian Horner’s departure and Laurent Mekies’ appointment.
What Is The Shape Of Red Bull Racing After Christian Horner’s Departure
After three wins and two podium finishes in his last five outings, Verstappen is more alive in title contention than ever. His fate has also been shaped partly by the rocky runs of the McLaren drivers in recent times.
Fresh off his CoTA victory, the four-time champion had a chat with De Telegraaf, where he touched upon several aspects of his life off the track as well. The Dutch driver also touched upon his communication with the new boss in their Thursday meetings and beyond, and said:
“Yes, since he became the team principal here. We talk about everything then, really. So not just the car, but also the team and personal things. That’s a twenty-minute, half-hour conversation. And of course, we talk a lot more during the weekend.”
The journalist even highlighted rumors about Verstappen having a considerable say in the team’s decision-making process, to which the Red Bull Racing driver responded by mentioning how his presence in the team has changed since Horner’s departure. He added:
“It’s not that I’m necessarily doing more. Let me put it this way: maybe people are listening to me a little more. Or communicating with me more. Even from the top down. And the fact that we’ve been performing better lately isn’t down to just one person.”
Max: “It’s not that I’m necessarily doing more. Let me put it this way: perhaps people are listening to me a little more. Or communicating with me more. Also from ‘above/higherup’.”
Christian Horner you will pay for your crimes… pic.twitter.com/GLoBDRXzjr
— Verstappen News (@verstappenews) October 25, 2025
Verstappen further emphasized his recent successes, attributing them to the collective efforts of the entire team. He even mentioned the inception of a new philosophy in the Red Bull camp under Mekies’ leadership and provided the example of Monza, where a new floor proved advantageous for the team.
Max Verstappen’s Thoughts On Team’s Current Progress Under Mekies
Following this, the journalist asked the four-time champion if the team’s graph reversal would have been possible had Mekies not taken Horner’s position in July. Verstappen was unsure of the hypothetical scenario and did not delve much into such a possibility.
However, he painted a picture of how things currently function at Red Bull Racing. He said:
“I’m just really happy with how things are going within the team right now. Not just with Laurent, but with all of Red Bull Racing. And also the whole relationship between the shareholders in Austria and Thailand. Everyone is on the same page. For such a major brand and racing team, that’s really important.”
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While he credited the higher-ups in the Red Bull office, he also admitted to having more confidence behind the wheel, which was a combination of a better car and his recent numbers.
Verstappen currently sits third in the table with 306 points, is 40 points behind the leader, Oscar Piastri, and lags Lando Norris by 26 points, who sits second.
