Christian Horner has reflected on his early career in motorsport and how it was “obvious” that Red Bull had to part ways with Guenther Steiner.
Horner has headed the Red Bull F1 squad since its formation in 2005, when it took over the Jaguar team.
Prior to joining the energy drink-backed outfit, Horner was focused on Arden, a junior team that he co-founded with his father Garry.
After making the shift to Red Bull, he worked alongside Gunther Steiner who currently spearheads the Haas F1 team.
However, the team had its eye on bringing Adrian Newey to the team, with the Briton enjoying championship success at Williams and McLaren.
Steiner was then shipped to the United States to become the technical director of its NASCAR outfit, a role he held until April, 2008.
“If you look after people and they feel comfortable in the environment they are in they will show you loyalty,” Horner told iNews.
“It’s about getting the right people in the right roles, empowering them, creating the right atmosphere.
“At Arden, people did not need to know how close to the wind we were sailing, the risks that were being taken. It was seat of the pants stuff.
“I was looking to see how I could take Arden into F1. Bernie [Ecclestone] was pushing me towards the Jordan team.
“Helmut invited me to meet Dietrich in Salzburg in the summer of 2004.
“The Jordan deal didn’t happen and Red Bull bought Jaguar. Dietrich invited me back at the end of 2004 and asked me to be Team Principal.”
Horner admits that the decision to part ways with Steiner was “obvious” due to the technical prowess of Newey.
“Guenther was and is a character but it was obvious he was not a technical leader,” he said.
“I identified what the team really needed was technical leadership and direction.
“So from a very early stage I made a point of bumping into Adrian.”
Keyword: Horner reflects on ‘obvious’ decision to part ways with Steiner at Red Bull