The speculation around Christian Horner’s future with Red Bull refuses to die, and former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher has now added fuel to the fire. Despite Horner’s consistent claims of loyalty to Red Bull, Schumacher suggests a behind-the-scenes power shift may be pushing Horner toward the exit potentially to Alpine, not Ferrari as previously rumored.
Schumacher believes Horner may be facing a quiet demotion at Red Bull, with the internal structure at Milton Keynes evolving in ways that reduce his influence. This, combined with his alleged desire for team ownership something he doesn’t have at Red Bull could make Alpine an attractive landing spot, especially now that Flavio Briatore is playing a bigger role there.
Horner has reportedly lost internal authority, particularly after the controversial extension and early termination of Sergio Pérez’s contract a costly misstep that led to greater scrutiny of his decisions. Schumacher says Horner no longer has the unchecked freedom he once did, a tough pill for someone used to having full control.
The internal politics at Red Bull have only intensified this year, marked by rifts between Horner’s UK-based leadership and the Austrian side still loyal to founder Dietrich Mateschitz. The exits of influential figures like Adrian Newey and the rising influence of others like Pierre Waché and Red Bull Powertrains further hint at a shift in power away from Horner.
Amid these dynamics, the idea of Horner leading Alpine a struggling team in need of a high-profile figurehead appears more realistic. Ownership stakes and full operational control could be the key incentives luring him away.
Still, some suggest these rumors may be part of a strategic game by Horner to strengthen his position within Red Bull, leveraging outside interest to regain clout internally a move reminiscent of what Toto Wolff has done in the past. But unlike Wolff, Horner’s standing is more vulnerable following recent misjudgments.
Whether he stays or leaves, the widespread nature of these exit rumors signals serious instability at Red Bull. And as Schumacher puts it, the question may no longer be “Why would Horner leave?” but “Why didn’t we see it coming?”
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