Christian Horner Wanted Fernando Alonso and Charles Leclerc at Red Bull

Christian Horner Reveals Blocked Bids for Alonso and Leclerc in Memoir

In his upcoming memoir titled Drive, former Red Bull Racing team chief Christian Horner provides unprecedented insight into the driver market maneuvers that shaped the Milton Keynes squad’s driver lineup. Horner, who spent two decades leading Red Bull before his departure in July 2025, details his uphill battle to find an experienced successor to Sergio Perez to race alongside reigning champion Max Verstappen for the 2025 Formula 1 season.

The push to replace Perez came as the Mexican driver experienced a severe decline in performance throughout 2024, despite having previously assisted the outfit in securing its first-ever 1-2 finish in the World Drivers’ Championship. In the book, Horner reflects on the sharp drop in competitiveness: “Sergio Perez’s form was unrecognisable compared to the driver he had been in previous seasons,” Horner wrote. “I decided to look for a possible replacement.”

Fernando Alonso’s Approach and the Verstappen Management Veto

The initial candidate to emerge was two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso, who was racing for Aston Martin. According to Horner’s memoir, Alonso directly voiced his willingness to partner with Verstappen during race weekend discussions in Suzuka. Horner explains the situation and the immediate roadblock that halted the pursuit:

“During the Japanese Grand Prix, Fernando even told me that he really wanted to drive alongside Max the following season. Subsequently, Helmut (Marko), apparently on behalf of Verstappen’s management team, made it clear that they were not happy with that idea.”

Pursuit of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Internal Pushback

With Alonso ruled out, Horner shifted his focus toward Scuderia Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, believing the Monegasque driver possessed the raw speed and temperament needed to strengthen the team. Horner noted that he wanted both Alonso and Leclerc equally to fill the vacancy alongside Verstappen.

“I thought he could be the perfect driver for us,” Horner wrote. “He was fast, strong over one lap, and had a determined character. Sure, he made a mistake now and then, which Red Bull had capitalised on, but whatever the situation, he never criticised Ferrari. Charles was a team player, and I felt he could fill the gap if Sergio dropped further back. Moreover, he seemed frustrated at Ferrari.”

However, Horner’s push to sign Leclerc met the exact same resistance from within Red Bull’s internal hierarchy. Horner describes the response: “Shortly afterwards, Helmut told me that I should just forget about Charles as well. Just like with Fernando, it wasn’t going to happen.”

Despite Marko’s veto, Horner maintains that the driver on the other side of the garage was not responsible for blocking the move. Horner states: “I knew immediately that that order did not come from Max,” adding, “But someone had decided somewhere that it wasn’t the right move for Red Bull. I was disappointed.” Horner stops short of explicitly identifying who issued the final directive.

The Liam Lawson Promotion and Carlos Sainz Discussions

Faced with internal opposition to signing established frontline grand prix winners, Red Bull opted to promote reserve driver Liam Lawson to the senior seat. However, Horner admits he harbored severe reservations about thrusting the inexperienced New Zealander into such a demanding environment alongside Verstappen.

“But I didn’t feel comfortable with it. He was young and inexperienced, with only eleven Formula 1 races under his belt, and we were asking an enormous amount of him.” Lawson’s stint in the senior car lasted only a handful of events before Red Bull management demoted him back to the sister team. Horner was unequivocal about the decision, writing: “But actually, he should never have been promoted in the first place.”

Horner also documents that Carlos Sainz emerged as another potential candidate, even making a direct personal pitch prior to Horner’s exit from the team. Sainz visited Horner’s residence shortly before Horner was dismissed in July 2025. Horner recalled: “He came to discuss a possible move to Red Bull in 2026.” Evaluating Sainz, Horner noted: “He was an experienced Grand Prix driver, a team player, and I knew he would work his socks off for the team.”

Why This Matters

Christian Horner’s revelations expose the complex power dynamics and fractured decision-making processes that governed Red Bull Racing during the final stages of his 20-year leadership. The accounts illustrate how executive influence from advisor Helmut Marko and driver management circles could override the sporting preferences of the team principal, directly impacting driver selection. By missing out on top-tier talents like Fernando Alonso and Charles Leclerc, Red Bull faced instability in its second seat, ultimately resorting to a rushed promotion for Liam Lawson that exposed the vulnerability of their junior pipeline while attempting to support Max Verstappen’s championship efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Fernando Alonso want to drive for Red Bull in 2025?

Yes. According to Christian Horner, Fernando Alonso personally expressed during the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix that he wanted to race alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull for the 2025 season. However, Helmut Marko vetoed the move, citing pushback on behalf of Verstappen’s management.

Why didn’t Charles Leclerc join Red Bull Racing?

Christian Horner identified Charles Leclerc as an ideal candidate to replace Sergio Perez due to his one-lap pace and teamwork. Despite Horner’s interest, Helmut Marko informed Horner to forget about pursuing Leclerc, stating the move was not going to happen, though Horner specified the directive did not come from Max Verstappen himself.

What discussions occurred between Carlos Sainz and Christian Horner?

Carlos Sainz visited Christian Horner’s home shortly before Horner’s exit from Red Bull in July 2025 to discuss a potential move to the team for the 2026 Formula 1 season, with Horner praising Sainz as an experienced driver and dedicated team player.