Overview
- Sebastian Vettel said Horner's exit caught him off guard and cautioned that losing such a central figure could hurt Red Bull down the line.
- Vettel praised new team boss Laurent Mekies but noted Horner left “big footsteps,” urging patience to see how Red Bull adapts.
- Horner was removed from his roles on 9 July 2025 and formally left on 22 September after reaching a settlement with Red Bull.
- Reports indicate Horner has contacted team owners about opportunities, with Aston Martin’s Andy Cowell stating there are no plans to involve him.
- Vettel said discussions about him taking a role at Red Bull “never gained any traction,” and separate reports have cited a roughly £80m payoff tied to Horner’s exit.