Former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner responded to the team's landmark victory in Malaysia, marking their first win as a power unit manufacturer and Max Verstappen's first victory of 2026. Despite no longer being at Red Bull, Horner was a significant figure behind the Red Bull Powertrains project during his tenure.
Horner shared his congratulations on social media, writing that going from a hole in the ground to race winner in five years represents an incredible achievement. He praised Red Bull Ford Powertrains, Verstappen and the whole team for reaching this milestone after years of development work.
The former team principal had been one of the key figures pushing to form Red Bull Powertrains alongside its working partnership with Ford. Red Bull took the step to create its own power division when Honda confirmed it would not extend its Formula 1 commitment beyond 2025, though Honda has since reversed that decision.
Horner was dismissed by Red Bull following the 2025 British Grand Prix but remains interested in returning to Formula 1. He has stated that Ferrari would be the dream destination and the only team for which he would return as an employee rather than seeking an ownership stake.