Christian Horner Reveals Why Alonso and Leclerc Never Joined Red Bull

Christian Horner has revealed the inner workings of his last years at the head of Red Bull in his new book, Drive. The former team boss who led the team for two decades before his departure in July 2025, recounts how he tried to sign Fernando Alonso and Charles Leclerc to replace Sergio Pérez but his plans were blocked from within the team. An account that sheds light on the internal tensions that marked the end of his stage in Milton Keynes.

The deterioration of Pérez's performance in 2024 was the trigger: "Sergio Pérez's form was unrecognizable compared to the driver he had been in previous seasons. I decided to look for a possible replacement" Horner writes. The first name on his list was Alonso who at that time was racing for Aston Martin, according to Horner's account the Asturian confirmed his interest during the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix: "Fernando even told me that he really wanted to race alongside Max the following season, later Helmut Marko, apparently on behalf of the Verstappen management team, made clear that they were not happy with that idea" the Briton reveals.

Faced with the blockade, Horner focused on Leclerc: "I thought he could be the perfect driver for us, he was fast, strong over one lap and had a determined character. Obviously he made the occasional mistake, which Red Bull had taken advantage of, but whatever the situation, he never criticized Ferrari. Charles was a team player and I felt he could fill the void if Sergio regressed further. He also seemed frustrated at Ferrari" Horner writes. However, the response was the same: "Shortly after Helmut told me I should also forget about Charles. Just like with Fernando it was not going to happen" he recounts.

Horner makes clear that, in his opinion, Verstappen was not behind those decisions: "I knew immediately that that order did not come from Max but someone had decided somewhere that it was not the right move for Red Bull. I felt disappointed" he added without naming that someone.

With both names discarded, the seat went to Liam Lawson but Horner was not convinced: "I didn't feel comfortable with that, he was young and inexperienced with only eleven Formula 1 races behind him and we were asking him for an enormity" he assured.

Lawson lasted barely a couple of races before being returned to Racing Bulls: "In reality, he should never have been promoted in the first place" Horner admits.

The book also mentions Carlos Sainz, who visited Horner's house shortly before his dismissal: "He came to talk about a possible move to Red Bull in 2026, he was an experienced Grand Prix driver, a team player and I knew he would give his all for the team" he notes. Horner's account, although partial offers a fascinating vision of the power struggles within Red Bull and of the decisions that marked the team's course in recent years. The former executive promises more revelations about a turbulent stage in the history of the Austrian team.