Overview
- Verstappen said he and Horner exchange messages every Friday to Sunday on race weekends and stay in touch even during holidays.
- Horner was removed as Red Bull team principal in July 2025 after a prolonged slump, internal tensions, and earlier allegations from which he was cleared.
- Laurent Mekies took charge and Red Bull’s form rebounded, with Verstappen mounting a late title push before finishing two points behind Lando Norris.
- Verstappen praised Horner’s role in his career, saying the former boss “went through fire” for him and still sends encouragement as his “biggest fan.”
- Manager Raymond Vermeulen said early-season mistakes under Horner “broke” the team, while figures such as Helmut Marko and Ralf Schumacher argued the change came too late.