F1 News
Horner 'never felt like walking away' from Red Bull despite a tough 2024
After the joys and the record-breaking year of 2023, 2024 was an extremely tough year for Red Bull. Before the season got underway, team principal Christian Horner had allegations made against him for inappropriate behaviour in the workplace. Although that case has now reached its end without any charges handed to the Brit, it drailed the Austrian team, being key figures including Adrian Newey leave, which also saw a huge decline in the performance of the RB20. However, it did not deter Horner away from the top job.
Despite all of the issues that came the way of Red Bull Racing in 2024, they were still able to celebrate some title glory thanks to the sublime driving talent of Max Verstappen, sealing his fourth consecutive drivers' title in the premier class of motorsport.
Horner was very happy to see his team unite as one when they went through their several periods of problems in 2024: "In times of difficulty and when stones are being thrown, it actually galvanises a team. I think there was an element of, 'F*** you' from the team this year. Our people were saying, 'We are a strong team, no matter what you throw at us, bring it on'."
Horner refused to quit at Red Bull
More than once, there were calls from the outside world for Horner to leave the team boss job at the Austrian team. However, the Briton stayed put: "I never felt I might have to walk away. I believed in myself. I believed in the process. I trusted in the process that was scrupulously applied by the company and I just had to trust to that," he told The Daily Mail.
According to the Brit, he had a lot of support from his colleagues and people at the top of the company: "I have had tremendous support and backing from the shareholders and from within the company," he reflects. "The support that the team gave me and the reception the team gave me, I will never, ever forget that."
This article was created in collaboration with Ludo van Denderen
Want more Formula 1? Then follow GPblog on our various social media channels!