12/07/2025 12:00
1992 F1 world champion Nigel Mansell has warned Red Bull it faces a
"struggle" following the "shock" exit of now former team principal
Christian Horner. It was announced on Wednesday that Horner and Red
Bull had parted ways after over 20 years together, with Laurent
Mekies having been promoted from Racing Bulls to replace him. As a
result, Mekies becomes just the second-ever team principal of the
Milton Keynes-based outfit. The news of Horner's departure came as
a surprise to many, including Mansell, who had only been with the
Briton in Silverstone where things seemed normal. "I think just
like the racing fans, I didn't know what Red Bull were doing so
yeah it came as quite a shock and surprise," Mansell told aceodds .
"I was with Red Bull and I spoke to Christian last weekend and
there was no inference, no problems or anything. A bit of shock and
a bit of horror really. "No one really has the facts and it would
not be professional of me to try and make an opinion but all I can
say is the magnificent job Christian Horner has done for 20 years
is a testament to his skill and his dedication to the sport. That
shouldn't be forgotten." Bizarre Horner exit timing What has
confused Mansell the most with Horner's exit from Red Bull is the
timing of it, given 12 races still remain in the F1 season. The F1
icon is certain the team will miss its former team principal, with
a "transitional period" to be expected. "To do this mid-season,
whatever the reasons are, it's not helpful for the team," added
Marko. "The team will miss him, there will be a transitional
period. "It will be a struggle for Red Bull to be as competitive
as they would've wanted to be for 2025 now. "It's very difficult to
pass a comment on the inner workings of any team when you don't
know the facts. "All I'd say is motor racing is difficult enough
without having these challenges come along at the time they have.
Any team would have a huge challenge. Watch this space, whatever
happens is going to be interesting, isn't it?"