Christian Horner Details Past Red Bull Talks With George Russell

Former Red Bull Racing team principal and CEO Christian Horner has revealed that he explored signing George Russell during the 2025 Formula 1 season. Writing in his new autobiography, Drive, which hit bookshelves on October 22, Horner explained that he decided to approach Russell's management team as a direct response to Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff's continuous public pursuit of Max Verstappen.

During the 2025 season, Verstappen remained under contract with Red Bull through 2028, a deal later extended through 2030. Despite this long-term agreement, persistent speculation surrounded the Dutch driver due to a performance-based exit clause. Wolff openly flirted with the idea of bringing Verstappen to Mercedes, an approach that heavily frustrated Horner.

Tired of what he perceived as provocative behavior and public courting from his arch-nemesis, Horner decided to "fight fire with fire" around the time of the British Grand Prix in July 2025. He reached out to George Russell's camp to discuss a potential move to the Milton Keynes-based squad, noting that Russell's contract was approaching its conclusion.

"I was the provocative attitude of Toto tired and decided to fight fire with fire; therefore I contacted George Russell's management to set up a meeting," Horner wrote, expressing frustration that Mercedes appeared to be leaving Russell in uncertainty while waiting for Verstappen's decision.

Horner departed from his position at Red Bull just days after the race at Silverstone in July 2025, bringing an end to his twenty-year tenure at the helm of the team. Ultimately, Verstappen chose to remain loyal to Red Bull, and Russell subsequently signed a contract extension with Mercedes in October of that year.

Aside from discussions regarding Russell and Verstappen, Horner's memoir also reflects on other major moments from his career, including his departure, his initial meeting with his now-wife Geri Halliwell, and recent acknowledgments from Red Bull leadership. Earlier this month, Red Bull executives reached out to thank Horner for his foundational contributions to Red Bull Powertrains following the unit's first victory with its Ford-backed engine at the Bahrain Grand Prix.