After the news of his exit dropped, Sky F1 pundit Karun Chandhok weighed up Horner's options, noting that his relationship with Flavio Briatore could prove vital to securing a leadership role away from Red Bull.

While the sudden announcement that Christian Horner had been released by Red Bull shocked many, Johnny Herbert insists it was “not a surprise”. And Herbert believes another Red Bull veteran will be on his way to the exit door, predicting four-time World Champion Max Verstappen will sign with Mercedes.

One year later, in 2006, Superman took over the car as David Coulthard scored Red Bull’s first podium finish, leading to Horner jumping into the swimming pool located on the top of the Energy Station wearing only a red cape after losing a bet over the result.

Christian Horner's sudden Red Bull exit has prompted several team members and F1 personalities to react publicly.

On Wednesday Red Bull dropped the bombshell that Christian Horner – their team principal since joining the grid in 2005 – had been released with immediate effect, Laurent Mekies confirmed as his replacement, the Frenchman transitioning from Racing Bulls team principal to Red Bull Racing CEO.

Christian Horner branded an ‘idiot’ by close friend Bernie Ecclestone: ‘He thought he was 20’ - Former F1 supremo Ecclestone, who was Horner’s best man at his wedding, was critical of the ex-Red Bull

Christian Horner was the face of Red Bull Racing, but his tenure as a team principal came to an abrupt end this Wednesday. Whether this also signifies a farewell to Formula 1 remains to be seen. Should Horner reappear elsewhere before long need not come as a big surprise.

Today's F1 news headlines center around a potential meeting between Max Verstappen and Toto Wolff as Red Bull's future become clearer.