Schumacher says Horner lives in his own reality over Verstappen claims

Ralf Schumacher says Christian Horner appears to live in his own reality, pointing to a Max Verstappen-related example that Schumacher considers demonstrably wrong. He made the criticism while discussing Horner's forthcoming book, Drive, on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast; it is due out on 22 October.

Schumacher said he did not think Horner was consciously lying, but believed Horner had sincerely experienced events as he described them.

Schumacher also objected to the book's release date: 22 October coincides with the date Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz died. Mateschitz was 78 when he died in 2022. Schumacher said Horner owed his career to Mateschitz and that Red Bull had much to thank him for.

Schumacher nevertheless acknowledged Horner as one of Formula 1's most successful team principals. Horner had to make way for Laurent Mekies midway through the 2025 F1 season; Schumacher said Horner's interests no longer aligned with Red Bull's.