F1 news: Driver 'pleased' with Horner change as Verstappen's Red Bull demand revealed

And breathe... Who said non-race weeks aren't frantic, ey?

A breathtaking couple of days in the world of Formula One and it's likely the fallout from Christian Horner's sacking continues throughout the week and beyond.

Make sure to check in across the Express Sport pages for all of our Formula One coverage.

Until next time though, we'll see you later.

Here's what Red Bull will be looking to replace following the axing of Christian Horner.

Laurent Mekies has opened up about Christian Horner following the Red Bull team principal's surprise exit.

Speaking on his first day in the job, Mekies said: “It would be impossible to underestimate the size of the achievement that this team has had under 20 years of Christian's leadership.

"I met him 20 years ago when he was the youngest team principal in Formula 1 and it's unbelievable to see how he has turned this place to the level at which it is now, and on that journey, the many, many titles and wins.

"Christian is also the guy that, together with Helmut [Marko] and Oliver [Mintzlaff], brought me back into the Red Bull family two years ago. And my first thoughts are really for him today."

The star of the new F1 Movie has had a maiden outing in a Formula One Car.

Christian Horner made his first public statement after being sacked by Red Bull.

The message starts: "After an incredible journey of twenty years together, it is with a heavy heart that today I say goodbye to the team I have absolutely loved.

"Every one of you, the amazing people at the factory, have been the heart and soul of everything that we have achieved."

Only one Formula One team principal boasts more wins than Christian Horner.

The Brit brought home 124 during his time as Red Bull head honcho.

It's just 14 off the record set by McLaren's Ron Dennis.

Will he get the chance to eclipse that in the future?

Christian Horner 'broke down' during his Red Bull farewell, Sky Sports pundit David Croft has revealed.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Croft explained: "From those that we've managed to speak to, it's a unified sense of disappointment and sadness, towards a man they see has unified their team.

"He was never afraid to sit and have a chat to various people, no matter what they did in the organisation.

"The speech that Christian Horner gave this morning to the factory this morning, was hugely emotional and Christian himself we understand was emotional and broke down."

Taking to social media yesterday, the Dutchman thanked Christian Horner for his service.

He said: "From my first race win, to four world championships, we have shared incredible successes. Winning memorable races and breaking countless records. Thank you for everything, Christian!"

Jake Dennis, simulator driver for Red Bull, believed that news of Christian Horner’s sacking was a ‘joke’ when sent to him on WhatsApp by a friend.

"Yes, completely. It was a definite surprise,” he told RacingNews365. "I didn't find out until my mate sent it to me on WhatsApp. I thought it was a joke. I went online and saw it was all over there, so yeah, a surprise.

"I've been so busy with BMW and Andretti this year that I haven't done any sim work since October, so I've been really out of the loop with Red Bull this year, so I was always going to be surprised, even if everyone else knew."

Martin Brundle believes that Max Verstappen is more likely to remain at Red Bull following the exit of Christian Horner, who was sacked on Wednesday.

“It remains to be seen,” he told Sky Sports News. “I mean, every point, podium, victory and World Championship Max has – through his own genius driving, it must be said – is in a Red Bull Car, and he’s often said he wants to see his career out there, if he can.

“But then, you know, they’re debuting their own engine for the first time next year, in what is going to be the biggest change in Formula 1 history of car and power unit at the same time. Christian has been in the seat and driving that aspect of the team along completely.

“So we know that Max has an exit clause based on where he is in the World Championship at the end of this month. Does this mean he’s more likely to go, more like stay? I can only surmise it means he’s more likely to stay at the team.”

Helmut Marko has released a statement following the exit of Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. The pair formed one of the most iconic F1 management duos of all-time, although tensions were often reported during the final years of the team’s dominant reign.

"Christian and I have worked together very successfully for over 20 years – both in Formula 1 and in Formula 3000," Marko said. "I would like to sincerely thank Christian for that. During this time, we were able to celebrate an incredible number of outstanding achievements.

"We helped develop two World Drivers’ Champions and several Grand Prix winners. That has always been – and still is – the Red Bull way. As for the current sporting situation: there are still 12 races to go, and we will continue to fight for the Drivers’ Championship as long as it's mathematically possible."

While Max Verstappen wasn’t able to deliver a podium at the British Grand Prix last weekend, the Dutchman did feature in a new TV advert for the Armor All Podium Series as Red Bull launched a collaboration with the car care range.

The collection, which is available to purchase exclusively at Halfords, was created in partnership with Red Bull and contains a number of premium products, ranging from ceramic detailing sprays to tire shines and interior vinyl protection wipes.

Juan Pablo Montoya has offered some advice to Lando Norris, insisting that the eight-time Grand Prix winner needs more internal focus, despite winning back-to-back races.

“Lando needs to focus more on him and not what’s around him,” Montoya told BetVictor Casino. “He needs to forget, to a point, about Oscar and just do his own thing because I think if he does his own thing and ignore what people are saying and talking about. Do his job. Chill. Get on with it.

“I think he's been doing that. You can't be reading comments and talking to your friends that have opinions. Yeah, everybody has a freaking opinion. They need to shut up.

“Can you imagine how many people texted Lando last night going we know you could do it, we knew you could come back, we knew you could make it. Shut up! Those kinds of people are the same people that will text you when he failed, saying ‘oh, we feel so bad’. We knew you could do it. You were right there. It's like just leave him alone. You need to get away from people like that. You need to get away from people who are there for the opportunity. You just need to focus on doing your job.”

Rookie Kimi Antonelli would be ‘crushed’ if Max Verstappen replaces George Russell at Mercedes, according to Johnny Herbert. The Italian teenager has experienced an up-and-down maiden F1 campaign but is still a raw talent.

“Antonelli could learn off Verstappen, but then that was always the argument you could say with Albon or Gasly or even with Tsunoda,” Herbert told EscapistMagazine. “They don't. They can't. They get absolutely crushed. There is a chance of Antonelli being crushed. When you come up against the likes of Schumacher Senna, Fernando and now with Max.

“The difference is sometimes you have a teammate that you can beat every now and again. Then you have this elite athlete turn up who basically does those mega pole laps like Max did at Silverstone. That’s the difference with Antonelli. George is leading the team, dominating the team if you want to use that expression.

“Kimi could learn but it's a risk. because I think his personality hasn't come through yet. It looks like he's a really nice kid. Is he a George who has a little bit about him, which means he would stand up to Max? No.”

Johnny Herbert believes that George Russell could swap Mercedes for Aston Martin. The four-time Grand Prix winner is in danger of losing his seat to Max Verstappen, despite enjoying an exceptional 2025 season thus far.

“The potential for George Russell joining Aston Martin is still a possibility,” Herbert told EscapistMagazine. “I think there is an opportunity there for sure. Alpine is the only other one where there's a seat. You don't want to do a sit-out year because that is normally the worst thing that you do because things move far too quickly in Formula One, and you could very easily suddenly get sort of pushed aside, even if you are George Russell.

“So, I would hope a bit of common sense comes in and I hope George is the one that Aston Martin do choose if they choose Max or if they don't. If Aston Martin do choose Max, George is the best option they've got for the future with Mercedes.”

Ralf Schumacher has predicted a long drought for Red Bull, despite the exit of Christian Horner. The team principal was sacked after the British Grand Prix in a bombshell moment on Wednesday.

"I think one thing has nothing to do with the other, that the two might not have been the best of friends,” Schumacher told Sky Germany. “But that wasn't what Max was talking about. Max obviously wants to stay at Red Bull if at all possible, because that's where it all started, and he owes a lot to Red Bull. But I fear this valley that Red Bull is going through now will last a while. That usually takes – in Formula One history – two or three years.

“Now, of course, one thing could happen: new rules next year, and they'll find a great approach. I'm just lacking imagination, because Wache (Pierre Wache, Red Bull engineer and Newey's successor, editor's note) hasn't managed to make the car really drivable and good for two or one and a half years now. So I still believe that Max is very strongly thinking about leaving Red Bull, and more than ever after this weekend."

Two other key figures have left Red Bull with Christian Horner. The 51-year-old was dismissed on Wednesday as Red Bull look to turn the ship around following a miserable first half of the season.

Paul Smith, director of communications and social media, and Oliver Hughes, chief marketing and commercial officer, have both been relieved of their duties and will exit with the team principal.

Read more about this story here…

Christian Horner’s exit from Red Bull will be music to the ears of under-fire driver Yuki Tsunoda. The long-serving boss has been replaced by Laurent Mekies, who was the Japanese racer’s boss at Racing Bulls in 2024, and at the start of the 2025 campaign.

Tsunoda has experienced a miserable season so far, scoring just seven points since replacing Liam Lawson and finishing 12th or worse in each of the last five Grands Prix.

"He's an incredibly experienced man, very close to the technology,” Schumacher told Sky Germany when asked about Mekies. “He understands the car, was also at Ferrari for a long time, is extremely knowledgeable, and also has that human element that Red Bull has been lacking a bit recently.

“Yuki Tsunoda will also be pleased to have this boss, who will support him a bit more. They obviously know each other very well. I think that was a very good decision, and above all, it also shows the dynamic at Red Bull with these two teams: how to develop personnel or people yourself in the sister team and then promote them. Mekies is absolutely ready, and I believe he will handle the task brilliantly."

Max Verstappen’s manager has issued a statement suggesting that the exit of Christian Horner ‘doesn’t change anything’ for the Dutchman’s F1 future, and that on-track performance will be the key to keeping him in Red Bull overalls.

"We have a contract with Red Bull and are committed, as we have been for 11 years,” Raymond Vermeulen told Formule1.NL. “Our main goal now is to get performance back. And quickly. Max wants to get the most out of the equipment he has at his disposal, but we also realize that the championship is no longer within his reach."

In a separate statement, Vermeulen said: "We were informed in advance by Red Bull's management that this decision had been made. It's up to Red Bull to provide further explanation regarding the reasons. We continue to look at the sporting side and are looking for more performance so we can return to the top. In that respect, nothing will change."

Good morning and welcome to Express Sport's live F1 news coverage. We'll keep you up to date with all of the stories and insights as the fallout from Christian Horner's sacking continues.