Sebastian Vettel "surprised" by Christian Horner's Red Bull exit: "Big footsteps"

Former Formula 1 driver Sebastian Vettel was "surprised" by Christian Horner's exit from Red Bull Racing earlier in the year.

The German driver won his four championship titles under the leadership of Horner at Red Bull between 2010 and 2013. He claimed that the Briton will have "left some big footsteps" for new team chief Laurent Mekies to walk in.

Horner was replaced as Red Bull Racing CEO and team principal on 9 July 2025 before formally leaving the team on 22 September 2025 upon reaching a settlement agreement. Former Racing Bulls team principal Mekies stepped into Horner's role at the Milton Keynes outfit.

“Surprised. I mean, Christian has been there for so long, since the very beginning and knows this team inside out," Vettel told Sky Sports F1 during a rare appearance at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

"I think for this year, everything was in place. I know Laurent as well, the success, and I worked with him and he’s a really, really great person. But I think Christian left some big footsteps, not just because of all the success he’s had with the team, but also I think he was such a central part of the team. He knew what was going on and so on.

"I’m not completely aware of the organisation, the structure, and especially the plan for the future. But that’s where I think it’s valid to say, let’s wait and see how it turns out.”

Sebastian Vettel

Photo by: Kym Illman / Getty Images

It is understood that the settlement agreement that Horner and Red Bull reached would allow him to return to the championship in 2026 should he be able to find a suitable position.

Aston Martin team principal Andy Cowell explained ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix: “I had a chat with Lawrence [Stroll, Aston Martin F1’s owner] this morning to find out what he knows.

"It looks as though Christian is ringing up pretty much every team owner at the moment. I can clearly say there are no plans for the involvement of Christian in an operational or investment role in the future.”