News Summary
- Oliver Mintzlaff called Christian Horner following Red Bull-Ford’s first Formula 1 victory at Sepang.
- Horner says the executive thanked him for his contribution to the engine programme, despite the circumstances surrounding his dismissal.
- The former Red Bull team principal remains uncertain about his Formula 1 future after leaving the organisation in July 2025.
Christian Horner has revealed that Red Bull managing director Oliver Mintzlaff called him to acknowledge his contribution to the team’s Formula 1 engine programme, following Max Verstappen’s historic victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.
The conversation took place approximately 15 months after Horner was removed from his position as Red Bull Racing team principal, ending a 20-year tenure that included eight Drivers’ Championships and six Constructors’ titles.
Verstappen’s victory at Sepang on October 4 was particularly significant because it marked the first grand prix triumph for Red Bull Powertrains, the in-house engine operation developed in partnership with Ford.
Horner played a central role in establishing the project before his departure, making the breakthrough an emotional milestone for the former team principal.
Speaking to The Guardian, Horner acknowledged that his relationship with Mintzlaff had improved despite the difficult circumstances surrounding his exit.
Horner says Mintzlaff thanked him for Red Bull engine project
Horner described the aftermath of his dismissal as painful but confirmed that communication with Red Bull’s leadership had resumed.
“He rang the other day and thanked me for all I’d done for the engine,” Horner said, referring to Mintzlaff.
The acknowledgement followed Red Bull’s first victory as a power-unit manufacturer, a project that required the construction of a dedicated facility in Milton Keynes and the recruitment of engineers from established Formula 1 engine operations.
Red Bull began developing its own power unit after deciding to move away from reliance on an external engine supplier for the new 2026 regulations.
The company subsequently established a partnership with Ford, which provided technical support and contributed to the development programme.
Verstappen delivered the operation’s first victory in Malaysia, winning from pole position and confirming the progress achieved during Red Bull Powertrains’ inaugural season.
Former Red Bull boss says dismissal remains painful
Despite the recent conversation with Mintzlaff, Horner has maintained that the circumstances of his dismissal remain difficult to accept.
He was removed from his operational responsibilities in July 2025, with Laurent Mekies subsequently taking over as team principal.
Horner believes the internal balance of power at Red Bull changed following the death of company co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022.
He has also rejected suggestions that Max Verstappen or his father Jos were responsible for his departure.
The former team principal expressed disappointment that he was unable to celebrate the first victory of a project he had helped build.
Horner also revealed that he exchanged messages with Verstappen after the Malaysian Grand Prix, congratulating the driver and the team on their achievement.
Red Bull-Ford project reaches major milestone
The success of Red Bull Powertrains has become one of the most significant developments of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
The operation entered the championship with limited previous experience as a complete power-unit manufacturer, competing against established companies including Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda and Audi.
Its first victory came after a difficult opening phase of the season, during which Red Bull worked to improve reliability, energy management and overall performance.
Verstappen subsequently won again in Singapore, giving the team consecutive grand prix victories and strengthening its position ahead of the United States Grand Prix.
The recovery has also raised questions about the competitive balance for 2027, particularly as Mercedes continues to lead the championship with Kimi Antonelli.
The analysis of Red Bull’s progress towards a possible 2027 title challenge examines how the team’s recent improvements could influence next season.
Horner’s Formula 1 future remains uncertain
Horner has continued to be linked with a possible return to Formula 1, although no agreement with another team has been announced.
Recent speculation has involved Ferrari, whose team principal Frédéric Vasseur has faced questions about the Italian manufacturer’s performance.
However, Ferrari has publicly supported Vasseur, while Horner has not confirmed negotiations to join the Maranello operation.
The former Red Bull boss has previously suggested that any return to Formula 1 would need to offer a substantial opportunity, potentially involving an ownership stake rather than simply another team principal position.
Horner is also preparing to release his memoir, Drive, on October 22, with the book expected to provide further details about his career and departure from Red Bull.
