Horner, who had led Red Bull since their Formula 1 debut in 2005, was officially sacked on July 9, just three days after Max Verstappen finished fifth at the British Grand Prix. The team has not provided a reason for his dismissal, but the exit ends a period of escalating tension and controversy for the Milton Keynes-based outfit.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Speaking to Canadian broadcaster TSN, Brown said: \u201cI'm maybe [surprised by] the timing, but not the result.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThere\u2019s been a lot of drama there the last couple of years, and it doesn't seem like that drama has been calming down \u2014 maybe been getting worse. So I'm not surprised.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Horner\u2019s departure follows a turbulent 17-month stretch, beginning with allegations from a female employee accusing him of sexual harassment and coercive behaviour. While two internal Red Bull investigations cleared Horner, and he denied all accusations, the episode marked the start of Red Bull\u2019s unravelling.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Key figures have exited in quick succession. Technical genius Adrian Newey, widely regarded as the best designer in F1 history, resigned in April last year and has since joined Aston Martin.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Longtime sporting director Jonathan Wheatley left in July to become team principal of Sauber, and Red Bull\u2019s head of strategy, Will Courtenay, is also expected to join McLaren after serving out his contract.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Performance-wise, Red Bull\u2019s dominance has dipped. Verstappen, who won his fourth straight world title last season, only managed two wins in the final 13 races of 2024. This year, he has just two wins from 12 races, is third in the drivers\u2019 standings, and Red Bull sits fourth in the constructors\u2019 championship.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Speculation is now swirling about Verstappen\u2019s future, with strong links to Mercedes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Brown\u2019s relationship with Horner has been tense. He accused Red Bull of \u201ccheating\u201d after breaching the budget cap in 2021, and told BBC Sport last year that they \"used to get on.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Though Brown has been less openly critical in 2025, he hasn't hidden his frustration with Red Bull\u2019s behind-the-scenes behaviour. At the Miami Grand Prix, he was seen drinking from a bottle labelled \u201ctyre water\u201d \u2014 a cheeky dig at Horner\u2019s allegation that McLaren were using water to illegally cool their tyres.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Brown\u2019s relationship with Horner has been tense. He accused Red Bull of \u201ccheating\u201d after breaching the budget cap in 2021, and told BBC Sport last year that they \"used to get on.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAnd I think that there is a proper way to protest a team at the end of a race. You have to make it formal, disclose where it comes from, put some money down.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n