Lewis Hamilton has praised Christian Horner’s “remarkable” tenure at Crimson Bull as drivers admitted their “surprise” together with his sacking throughout media day on the Belgian Grand Prix.
Crimson Bull are with out Horner this weekend for the primary time for the reason that crew was based in 2005 with Laurent Mekies as new crew principal.
Hamilton has spent most of his F1 profession with Horner as a direct rival with Crimson Bull difficult the British driver’s crew when he was at McLaren and Mercedes.
“It’s been incredible to see the progress. I remember sitting with Christian, sitting in his office in GP2,” stated Hamilton.
“I used to be in Formulation 3, however wanting to enter GP2 for his first yr. I believe he was at Arden.
“I would not say we hit it off from the get-go! However to see his development and profession, it has been clearly exceptional what he did with the crew.
“With a huge group of amazing people, to really run an organisation that big and that well takes talent and skill and that’s what he brought to the team. So, I wish him all the best.”
Seven drivers on the present grid have raced for Crimson Bull or its junior crew – Max Verstappen, Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson, Isack Hadjar, Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly and Carlos Sainz.
Verstappen is “incredibly thankful” for all of the moments he had with Horner, together with his 4 world titles, and says he nonetheless speaks to Horner.
Tsunoda revealed Horner messaged him as just lately as Wednesday forward of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.
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Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda reveal former Crimson Bull crew principal Christian Horner has been involved with them forward of the Belgian GP
“I appreciate how Christian supported me in previous races,” he stated.
“I got a message from him actually yesterday [saying] ‘show what you can do’ and, it was a nice message.”
Tsunoda changed Lawson at Crimson Bull after simply two races earlier this yr and the New Zealander believes Mekies will thrive together with his work ethic after doing “amazing things” at Racing Bulls.
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New Crimson Bull crew principal Laurent Mekies praises Christian Horner for his achievments
“He will do great. He is somebody who cares a lot, he’s a very good human being,” stated Lawson.
“I’ve loved working with him and would love to work with him again in the future in some way, For Red Bull, it’s a great opportunity to have him.”
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On The F1 Present, Ted Kravitz suggests Jos and Max Verstappen gained the ability wrestle at Crimson Bull over Christian Horner, who has been sacked as crew principal
Alan Permane, who has been in F1 for over three many years as an engineer, has changed Mekies at Racing Bulls as crew principal.
Hadjar stated: “Alan is someone I know really well. You don’t see him often, but he was a big part of the team so far.
“I believe he is the one, other than my engineer that I’ve labored with probably the most.”
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Following his sacking after 20 years as crew principal, Christian Horner gave an emotional goodbye to the Crimson Bull employees and says it was the largest privilege of his life
Albon: Crimson Bull will miss Horner
Crimson Bull gained eight drivers and 6 constructors’ titles below Horner, who’s below gardening depart till the top of this yr.
The crew constructed up a fame of giving younger drivers a possibility in F1 but additionally had a cut-throat strategy by demoting or not renewing contracts if they didn’t carry out effectively instantly.
Gasly was demoted again to Toro Rosso after simply 12 races in 2019 at Crimson Bull however says Horner’s “quality is undoubtable”.
“You have the number of championships he had, you can only respect all the success he had and what he did with Red Bull was remarkable and impressive,” stated the Alpine driver.
“For sure, he was very good at what he did with the team. I’m sure we will see him somewhere because with that sort of experience and skills, I’m sure some teams will be interested with Christian.”
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Martin Brundle displays on the information that Christian Horner has been sacked by Crimson Bull with fast impact after 20 years as crew principal of the Formulation 1 crew
Albon changed Gasly midway via his rookie marketing campaign and in addition struggled towards Verstappen.
Crimson Bull stored him for 2020 however the British-Thai driver was left with out a seat after that yr, earlier than he returned to F1 in 2022 with Williams.
Albon says he “would not be in F1” with out Horner and Crimson Bull and was “surprised” by the sacking.
Alex Albon raced for one-and-a-half years at Crimson Bull in 2019 and 2020
“I know Christian very well and he has got me to where I am, and I’ll always be grateful for his involvement in my career,” stated Albon.
“He has clearly run a very tight ship, had a lot of success, and on my side personally it’s obviously a shame to not see him in the paddock anymore.
“That being stated, Crimson Bull is a really robust crew, however I do assume they will miss him. We’ll see the way it performs out.
“I don’t know if he’s done with the sport or if he’s going to find a way back in, but I wish him all the best.”
Sky Sports activities F1’s dwell Belgian GP schedule
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Look again at a number of the most dramatic moments all through the years on the Belgian Grand Prix
Friday July 25
7.55am: F3 Apply
9.05am: F2 Apply
11am: Belgian GP Apply One (session begins at 11.30am)
12.55pm: F3 Qualifying
1.50pm: F2 Qualifying
3pm: Belgian GP Dash Qualifying (session begins at 3.30pm)
Saturday July 26
8.10am: F3 Dash
10am: Belgian GP Dash (lights out at 11am)
12.20pm: Ted’s Dash Pocket book
12.40pm: F2 Dash
2pm: Belgian GP Qualifying (session begins at 3pm)
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book
Sunday July 27
7.25am: F3 Function Race
8.55am: F2 Function Race
10.40am: Porsche Supercup Race
12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Belgian GP build-up*
2pm: THE BELGIAN GRAND PRIX*
4pm: Chequered flag: Belgian GP response*
5pm: Ted’s Pocket book
*additionally dwell on Sky Sports activities Essential Occasion
The 2025 Formulation 1 season resumes this weekend with the Belgian Grand Prix because the Dash format returns, dwell on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime.
