The Formula 1 paddock was rocked Wednesday by the news that Christian Horner, the longtime CEO and team principal of Red Bull Racing, has been fired after a 20-year run that featured many race wins and championships with drivers like Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.

Form has dipped on track following the departure of technical supremo Adrian Newey, and a very public spat between Horner and Jos Verstappen, father of four-time world champion Max, has played out for all to see.

Max Verstappen wrote an emotional message signed-off with “thank you for everything, Christian” after Red Bull wielded the axe. Christian Horner had been at the Red Bull helm since day one, but two decades later,