Drive to Survive returns to Netflix with Season 8 this Friday, but details about various episodes have already started leaking online. As you might expect, the series covers Christian Horner's shock ousting from Red Bull Racing, including who pulled the trigger on his exit.
Horner, who steered Red Bull to eight Drivers' World Championships and six Constructors' World Championships, was fired from the team last year following a reported internal power struggle, which came after a sexual harassment investigation in early 2024.
He denied any wrongdoing and ultimately had his name cleared. However, that combined with the team's decline in form at the start of the 2025 season—and talk about Max Verstappen leaving—ultimately led to Horner's dismissal.
Mercedes driver George Russell weighs in at one point, stating, "For whatever reason, they don’t like Horner and are trying to push him out. I wonder if [the rumours about Verstappen leaving aren't] some kind of game meant to pressure Red Bull so that he only stays if Christian leaves."
That's a bold claim, albeit one Horner himself disputes elsewhere in Drive to Survive's coverage of his firing. "I feel a real sense of loss and hurt. It was all rather sudden. I didn’t really get the chance to say a proper goodbye. I never imagined to be in this position."
"Of course, your immediate reaction when you’re delivered a sh*t sandwich like that is to say 'fu** them.' I had something taken away from me, which wasn’t my choice which was very precious to me."
"His father has never been my biggest fan," Horner said of Jos Verstappen, Max's father. "He’s been outspoken about me. But I don’t believe the Verstappens were responsible in any way. I think ultimately things changed within the business, within the group. The founder died, and after Dietrich [Mateschitz]'s death, I was probably deemed to have maybe too much control."
While rumours have swirled about Horner returning to Formula 1 as an investor in Alpine, he seems to indicate in the series that his time as a Team Principal in Formula 1 has ended following his Red Bull departure.
We'll see what the future holds in store for Horner. As for Drive to Survive Season 8, early reviews for the series have been mixed, especially as the drama within McLaren between teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri is largely glossed over.