As the shock of Christian Horner leaving as Red Bull team principal has somewhat subdued, it is time to reflect on his tenure with a top 10 wins under his reign. As Verstappen’s victories under Horner are more than Vettel’s, the focus is a tad more on his period, with six for the Verstappen era as compared to the Vettel era.
10. 2018 Monaco GP
We kick off this list with Daniel Ricciardo’s redemption day, which was of course a fairy tale conclusion for the broad-smiling Ozzy. However, it was also redemption for Horner. It was under his supervision that the dry tyres for Ricciardo weren’t ready during the 2016 Monaco GP, handing the lead and eventual win to Lewis Hamilton.
In 2018 Ricciardo struck with a vengeance. Where (then) rising star Max Verstappen slammed his RB14 and his hopes for pole in the Armco at the second swimming pool chicane, the Ozzy grabbed a commanding pole. A clean start later he saw himself leading the Monaco GP yet again, until engine problems rose. At any other track he would have lost the race then and there, but the nature of the Côte d’Azure track made it possible for Ricciardo to nurture the car home and take a well deserved victory.
9. 2013 Indian GP
In ninth place is the, to date, final Indian GP. Coming from humble background as the Stewart, and later on the Jaguar team, this race cemented Red Bull’s status as an F1 powerhouse. The victory by Sebastian Vettel was a dominant one, almost 30 seconds clear of Nico Rosberg in second.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Horner’s team that day, as Mark Webber had to retire with gearbox issues. However, the race did deliver the fourth consecutive drivers’ championship for Vettel. It emphasised the dominance Red Bull has shown in the 2013 season. And in that era of F1 to be honest.
8. 2023 Belgian GP
Next up in the list the 2023 Belgian GP. Like the previous entry it can be seen as an emphasis on the dominance of the team.
After the regulation change in 2022, and the subsequent technical directive, Red Bull was charging towards a dominance the sport has never seen before. Eventually winning all but one race in the 22 race long season, the Belgian GP of that year was the finest example of the dominance the Milton Keynes team displayed.
Undisputed number one driver Verstappen qualified first, but a gearbox-penalty saw him demoted to sixth. As in 2022, it didn’t prove an issue for the Dutchman who led the race by the end of lap 13. From there he didn’t look back, relenting the lead only briefly during the pitstop sequence. With more than 22 seconds ahead of team mate Sergio Pérez, the 27th one-two of Red Bull Racing was a fact.
7. 2010 Abu Dhabi GP
In seventh is the 2010 Abu Dhabi GP. If the 2013 Indian GP cemented Red Bull’s status, this race provided the first glimpse of it. Sure, a few wins make you a contender, but sealing the deal on a world championship makes you a proper front-runner.
And Sebastian Vettel’s win in Abu Dhabi delivered just that, both for the drivers’ and constructors’ championships. It gave us the famous “du bist Weltmeister”, but also the first time that Christian Horner could get on the radio and say: “you are the World Champion!” to one of his drivers.
The race itself was mainly remarkable for Fernando Alonso being stuck behind Vitaly Petrov and thus fumbling his chance for a third world championship. But at the same time, it was the moment Red Bull was recognised as a force to be reckoned with.
6. 2016 Spanish GP
At sixth place on the list we find another coming-of-age story, unfolding at the 2016 Spanish GP. Daniil Kvyat was underperforming, and Horner, together with Helmut Marko, took the risk to promote teenager Max Verstappen to Red Bull proper. And after both Mercedes drivers were eliminated in turn 4, the young Dutchman picked up the glove and drove to a sensational first win, proving Horner and co right.
And despite people blaming luck for the result, Verstappen’s victory wasn’t uncontested. One of F1’s most talented and by that time most experienced drivers was breathing down his neck for the majority of the race. But the Dutchman didn’t falter and took the chequered flag first.
5. 2021 US GP
The top half of the list starts with a race from arguably the most tense season in F1’s 75½ year history: 2021. An epic battle saw Verstappen and Hamilton trading blows throughout the season, culminating in a title decider that started with both drivers on equal points.
But Red Bull’s best race that season was the United States GP. Coming off a few races in which Mercedes clearly was getting the upper hand, Verstappen and Red Bull delivered one of their finest drives.
Verstappen managed to obtain an unexpected pole position, with Hamilton second. However, an aggressive start by the defending champion saw the Red Bull driver on the back foot, prompting for an aggressive strategy in reply. It did leave the world champion to be vulnerable at the end of the race, but he managed to hold off the seven-time champ. At the cost of a few additional grey hairs for Christian Horner, probably.
4. 2009 German GP
At four we find Mark Webber’s maiden victory at the 2009 German GP. In Red Bull’s first competitive season it was Vettel taking the first two wins for the team, but in Germany it was Webber’s day. Starting from pole position he defended a little too aggressive to the stewards’ liking, handing the Ozzy a drive-through penalty.
Webber didn’t give up however, and with mesmerising speed he clawed back the lost time. It gave him his first win of his career after 130 Grands Prix, and with Vettel in second, it was a great day in the office for Christian Horner as well.
3. 2019 Brazilian GP
The 2019 Brazilian GP is third on this list because it exemplifies Red Bull’s non-conservative approach to F1. Their policy regarding drivers is as infamous as it is successful, but their approach to race strategy is often also straightforward and aggressive.
In 2019 the RB15 was nowhere near the Mercedes W10, but the twisty Interlagos track meant Red Bull was in contention. As a crazy race unfolded, it was a call by Hannah Schmitz that brought the team the win, and propelled her into the spotlights.
As the safety car comes out to recover the stricken Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas, the team decides to give up track position for fresher tyres at the restart. The plan works and Verstappen wins the race after overtaking Hamilton immediately after the safety car comes in. A great example of teamwork.
2. 2024 São Paulo GP
Second on this list is the most impressive individual win under Horner’s auspices. Max Verstappen’s 17th-to-1st masterclass in the São Paulo rain was a view to behold.
Hindered by bad timing and red flags during qualifying, Verstappen qualified 12th before receiving a 5-place grid penalty for changing power unit elements. But as the race is driven in changeable driven, the Dutchman carves up the field and manages to stay out until the red flag comes. This gives him the opportunity to change his tyres for free. After the restart, his opponents saw him back at the finish, and Christian Horner once again could add a win to his tally.
1. 2009 Chinese GP
On top of the top 10 of wins under Christian Horner is the very first one, which could, in hindsight, be seen as a statement of intent.
Before the race Horner bemoaned the decision of the FIA to deem Brawn GP’s double diffuser legal. His mood would however improve after qualifying, which saw Vettel take the team’s first pole position. A day later the heavens opened and both Red Bulls thrived, but Vettel was lucky he wasn’t taken out by Sebastien Buemi of sister team Toro Rosso.
As there was no damage, there was nothing holding the German back to take the team’s very first victory. The cherry on top however was Webber finishing second, making it a one-two to boot. The big margin to third place was a foreshadowing for years to come.
