Christian Horner's position at the helm of Red Bull Racing appears secure despite the team's challenging start to the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Reports emerged after the Miami Grand Prix linking the British team principal with a potential exit as the squad continues to struggle against a dominant McLaren outfit.
However, according to recent information, Horner is not under serious pressure from Red Bull shareholders.
The 51-year-old's entourage remains unconcerned about alleged threats to his position, with the current performance downturn apparently not causing significant alarm among the company's board members.
Christian Horner is under the microscope at Red Bull but has staved off the sack
GETTYThis stability comes at a crucial time as Red Bull prepares for the upcoming Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola.
Red Bull's performance woes have been evident throughout the early stages of the 2025 campaign.
Max Verstappen finished fourth in Miami after a sprint race that yielded no points, marred by a pit stop error.
His teammate Yuki Tsunoda could only manage a P10 finish in the same event.
The reigning champion now finds himself 32 points behind McLaren's Oscar Piastri in the drivers' standings after just six Grand Prix weekends.
This slump follows Red Bull's loss of the Constructors' Championship in 2024, when Sergio Perez's poor second half of the season allowed McLaren and Ferrari to overtake them.
Verstappen has described the current car as "the most temperamental we've had since 2021."
Red Bull is pinning its hopes on a significant upgrade package scheduled for Imola.
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A revised floor and lighter chassis are due before June, with their effectiveness determining whether Verstappen can mount a serious challenge for his fifth consecutive title.
The team's advisor Helmut Marko has acknowledged the difficulty of closing the gap to McLaren.
"It has to [be good enough]," he told Autosport when discussing the planned upgrades. "But such a big step is difficult to catch up."
These improvements are critical not only for Verstappen's championship aspirations but also to ward off Ferrari's improving threat.
The development focus comes as stability in leadership should help engineers concentrate on performance gains.
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Christian Horner has come under fire at Red Bull
GettyHorner has accumulated substantial goodwill from the Red Bull board during his two decades with the organisation.
Since the team's inception in Formula 1, he has guided the Milton Keynes squad to impressive heights.
Under his leadership, Red Bull has secured eight Drivers' Championship titles and six Constructors' Championship crowns.
This track record of success has earned him considerable leeway during challenging periods.
As the team prepares to celebrate its 400th Grand Prix start in front of the passionate tifosi at Imola, the message from within the organisation appears clear.
Max Verstappen has had a tough start to the seasonPAHorner's renewed mandate brings clarity at a critical juncture for the British-based team.
The upcoming Imola race represents a flashpoint in Verstappen's title defence as he aims to match Michael Schumacher's record of five consecutive championships.
The odds appear stacked against the Dutchman given McLaren's current dominance.
Only consistent podiums will silence the doubters as Red Bull works to restore its former supremacy.
Despite the challenges, stability on the pit wall should provide a foundation for recovery.
The message from Milton Keynes is resolute: Horner remains at the helm, and the focus now shifts to proving this decision correct on track.
For British motorsport enthusiasts, the battle between McLaren's resurgence and Red Bull's response promises compelling viewing in the weeks ahead.
