Max Verstappen is the greatest driver Christian Horner has ever seen in a Formula 1 car, according to the former Red Bull Racing team principal, delivered just as the constructor’s new in-house power unit secured its maiden victories.
Horner Praises Verstappen as Generation’s Best
Max Verstappen stands out as the ultimate talent of his era, a driver whose career trajectory has consistently defied expectations since joining Red Bull Racing in 2016 as a teenager replacing Daniil Kvyat ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, gp33.nl reported. Christian Horner, who led the Milton Keynes squad for two decades until his departure in July 2025, revealed on TalkSPORT that the four-time world champion surpasses every competitor he has witnessed across his extensive motorsport career dating back to 1994. Verstappen captured six championships with the Austrian outfit, highlighted by a most dominant 2023 campaign, gp33.nl noted.
Red Bull Powertrains Delivers Breakthrough Wins
Months after Horner’s exit, Red Bull Racing claimed victory with its newly developed power unit. The Red Bull Ford Powertrains engine, designed after Honda announced its departure following the 2021 season, triumphed at the Grand Prix in Malaysia before Max Verstappen secured a second win a week later in Singapore, Motorsport reported. The technical venture began as an independent start-up in Milton Keynes to prevent reliance on external manufacturers, steering the team from power unit customer to full constructor.
Leadership Appreciation Follows Engine Success
Following the milestone victory in Sepang, Red Bull stakeholders and CEO Oliver Mintzlaff contacted Christian Horner to acknowledge his foundational role in establishing the engine project, RacingNews365 reported. Horner described the gesture as a welcome acknowledgment of the initial effort required to launch Red Bull Powertrains, noting it contrasted sharply with the abrupt conversation regarding his dismissal fifteen months prior, f1maximaal.nl stated. The power unit achieved its historic victory during its sixteenth Grand Prix start under the guidance of key technical staff including Ben Hodgkinson and Phil Prew.
Grid Dynamics Across Three Generations
Formula 1 currently features three distinct competitive drivers across separate age brackets, with Max Verstappen operating at the absolute peak of his abilities, according to Christian Horner’s assessment on TalkSPORT, gp33.nl reported. The former team principal placed veteran Lewis Hamilton alongside Verstappen and emerging talent Kimi Antonelli as standout performers representing different eras of the sport, gp33.nl added. This spread of talent highlights a rare alignment of generational benchmarks competing simultaneously on the modern grid.
Questions About the 2024 Investigation
Why Did Christian Horner Leave Red Bull Racing?
Christian Horner departed Red Bull Racing in July 2025 following a period of shifting leadership dynamics within the organization that intensified after the death of co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz in late 2022, Motorsport reported.
How Did the Red Bull Ford Powertrains Project Begin?
The engine development program launched as a start-up in Milton Keynes after Honda announced its withdrawal from Formula 1 at the end of 2020, requiring Red Bull to build its own power unit.
What Was the Outcome of the 2024 Allegations Against Horner?
An independent King’s Counsel investigated complaints of inappropriate behavior brought against Christian Horner in early 2024, dismissed all allegations, and subsequently rejected a subsequent appeal, RaceXpress confirmed.