Speaking to media including PlanetF1.com ahead of what proved to be his final race in charge of Red Bull at the British Grand Prix, Horner conceded that it would be “embarrassing” for Mercedes or “any manufacturer” if RBPT-Ford produce a better engine at the first time of asking in F1 2026.

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown was “not surprised” by Christian Horner’s Red Bull Formula 1 departure - but was a little thrown off by the timing. Just three days after the British Grand Prix on 9 July, Red Bull announced the removal of Horner as CEO and team principal, roles he’d held since the team’s F1 debut in 2005.