Christian Horner names the one moment he’d change from his 20 years at Red Bull, ‘I look back now…’

Christian Horner is by far the longest-serving team principal on the Formula 1 grid. He’s been with Red Bull for all 402 of their Formula 1 races.

That period has included eight drivers’ titles – four for Max Verstappen, four for Sebastian Vettel – and six constructors’ crowns. The Bulls have been a compelling addition to F1, but they’ve also been involved in plenty of controversies.

There have been moments of tension between teammates, most notably Vettel and Mark Webber. The two drivers dramatically crashed at the 2010 Turkish Grand Prix, and Vettel infamously ignored team orders to pass Webber in Malaysia three years later.

The Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo years were more amicable, but the two drivers were nonetheless involved in a race-ending tangle at the 2018 Azerbaijan GP.

Helmut Marko has no regrets over Red Bull’s driver choices, but some of those axed by the team have flourished elsewhere. Carlos Sainz, Pierre Gasly and Alex Albon are at the top of that list.

And in a tumultuous 2024, Horner lost his long-time right-hand man Adrian Newey. The legendary designer handed in his resignation and has gone to work for Aston Martin instead.

Christian Horner expresses regret over 2005 Indianapolis farce

In an interview with Planet F1, Horner was asked whether there were any moments he’d change if he had a ‘time machine’. But he didn’t choose any of the above.

Instead, he went all the way back to his first season at the 2005 United States Grand Prix. Only six cars took part in the farcical race, including victor Michael Schumacher.

The rest of the field withdrew on the advice of tyre suppliers Michelin, who said their compounds were not safe for the track layout. They completed the formation lap before pulling back into the pits.

The absentees included the Red Bull duo of David Coulthard and Christian Klien. Horner concedes the sport should have done better that day.

“I look back now, and I look at Indianapolis 2005 and I think we could have done a better job there,” Horner said. “There was a lot going on, and the teams that were running on a certain tyre manufacturer didn’t race.

“I think, as a sport, we could have done better then. You’re always learning in this business. If I had to pick one moment of the 21 years, that would be it.”

There’s only one thing that could tempt Christian Horner to leave Red Bull for Ferrari

Horner has faced external criticism in recent times. Red Bull’s run of dominance is over, with McLaren now reigning supreme.

Inevitably, some have blamed the team principal for this regression. That includes a selection of fans and some big-name pundits.

Sky Germany’s Ralf Schumacher has been a particularly outspoken Horner critic. Indeed, the Englishman even contacted the TV company to lodge a complaint.

But in spite of Red Bull’s struggles, Ferrari are showing an interest in Horner. Motorsport Italy’s Roberto Chinchero believes he’d only countenance a move if he was given ‘the keys’ to the operation – something that seems unlikely given the way the Scuderia operate.