Sep.27 (GMM) Christian Horner is making sure his name remains firmly in the Formula 1 headlines ahead of the release of his new autobiography, Drive, on October 22.
The former Red Bull boss has already used extracts from the book to revisit some of the most difficult relationships from his two decades at the team.
Adrian Newey features prominently.
“I had his back and believed that he had mine,” Horner reportedly wrote.
“But at the first sign of adversity, Adrian wanted to abandon ship.”
Horner said Newey’s willingness to consider leaving when Ferrari came calling in 2014 changed how he viewed their relationship.
“I felt very sad about that,” wrote the 52-year-old.
“I couldn’t rely on him any more. Our partnership was not as solid as I’d previously believed.”
Dr Helmut Marko also comes in for particularly sharp criticism. Horner recalled that Marko had stayed at his home shortly before his eventual Red Bull dismissal.
“A few days earlier he’d stayed at my house and spent time with my family, yet not a word had been said,” Horner said.
He nevertheless acknowledges that Marko was crucial to his original Red Bull opportunity, but says their dynamic changed significantly after Dietrich Mateschitz died.
“Towards the end, and certainly after Dietrich died, he didn’t really have a function,” said the Briton.
“I think he always viewed me as the protege.”
He also paints a stark picture of Marko’s management of Red Bull’s young drivers. “It wasn’t how I would deal with things,” said Horner.
“I felt that I was always mopping up the s*it.”
Even Max Verstappen’s arrival was apparently not straightforward.
Horner says Marko initially resisted signing the young Dutchman because of concerns about his father Jos. “We don’t need this one,” he said, repeating Marko’s supposed advise about signing the then teenaged Verstappen.
Horner is also unusually candid about his own polarising reputation.
“Maybe I am a bit of a Marmite character,” he wrote.
“I know I’m not everybody’s cup of tea. It’s impossible to be.”
And on his eventual Red Bull dismissal, Horner says the explanation was never entirely clear.
“I was never given a clear explanation other than that they felt the team’s performance had slipped a little.”
When he pressed further, he says he was told: “It was more Christian Horner Racing than Red Bull Racing.”
His verdict on Red Bull since his departure is equally blunt, saying the team he led since 2005 had “lost its mojo, its presence, its vibe”.
And despite the controversies surrounding his career, he offered perhaps the most revealing assessment of how he sees himself.
“In the end, Darth Vader takes off his helmet and he’s a human being. And everybody loves him,” said Horner.
There are motorsport events, and then there is the Indianapolis 500, the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing." Next year marks Grand Prix Tours' 42nd Indianapolis 500 tour and our decades of experience and local connections provide exclusive access that few fans ever enjoy, including police escorts on race day, a Dallara IndyCar Factory tour, Gasoline Alley and Legends Day, the Driver Introduction Ceremony, and a private dinner with former Indy driver Derek Daly. Combined with excellent hotel accommodations, seamless event planning, and Grand Prix Tours' signature service, this is far more than a race weekend; it's a once-in-a-lifetime motorsport experience. With tour spaces limited each year, we encourage you to reserve your place early for the 111th Indianapolis 500.
SHOW PACKAGES
Experience Formula 1 at its most iconic with an unforgettable trip to the 2027 Grand Prix de Monaco. Feel the excitement as the world’s best drivers race through the legendary streets of Monte Carlo, surrounded by superyachts, Mediterranean views, and the unmistakable glamour of Monaco. From incredible race viewing to carefully selected accommodations, Grand Prix Tours brings you closer to the action at one of the most prestigious and spectacular events in all of motorsport.
SHOW PACKAGES
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the ultimate test of speed, strategy, and endurance. Watch the world's top manufacturers battle for 24 nonstop hours in one of motorsport's most prestigious events. With Grand Prix Tours handling your accommodations, transfers, and ticket options, all that's left is to experience this unforgettable bucket-list race.
SHOW PACKAGES
Feel the roar of Formula 1 at its spiritual home. Silverstone is one of the fastest and most demanding circuits in the world, where brave overtakes, lightning-fast direction changes, and flat-out commitment separate the best from the rest. Combined with the electric atmosphere created by hundreds of thousands of passionate fans, the British Grand Prix delivers a race weekend unlike any other.
SHOW PACKAGES
Experience the thrill of the Canadian Grand Prix with Grand Prix Tours! Feel the excitement of Formula 1 as the world's best drivers battle it out on Montreal's iconic Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. Explore the vibrant city, enjoy unforgettable race weekend experiences, and soak up the electric atmosphere. Make your Canadian Grand Prix getaway one to remember with our exclusive travel packages. Secure your spot today!
SHOW PACKAGES