Christian Horner’s first F1 drive marked a personal milestone for the long-standing Red Bull Racing team principal who got to experience one of his team’s cars.
This momentous occasion occurred during the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where the team principal got behind the wheel of the RB8, a car that famously helped Sebastian Vettel clinch the 2012 World Championship.
The event marked a special celebration for Red Bull – coinciding with their 20th anniversary in F1 – and it saw Christian Horner’s first F1 drive to experience the incredible engineering that has made one of the most successful teams in Formula 1 history.
Despite being at the helm of since 2005 and overseeing numerous championship victories, the 51-year old had never actually driven one of the team’s cars until now. His last experience in a F1 car was back in 1993 when he drove a Lotus at Hethel.
The excitement surrounding this event was palpable, as it not only allowed fans to see Horner in a Red Bull F1 car for the first time but also highlighted the team’s rich legacy and ongoing commitment to excellence in motorsport.
Horner’s first F1 drive at Goodwood came about when Sebastian Vettel, who was originally scheduled to take the wheel, could not attend due to a family holiday.
In an unexpected twist, the team requested their boss to personally step in for the four-time world champion, providing him with a unique opportunity to connect with the car he has passionately managed for nearly two decades.
Horner’s first impressions after driving the RB8 were nothing short of awe-inspiring. He remarked on the sheer speed of the vehicle and how dramatically it responded to changes in throttle and braking.
“It was fun,” he told reporters at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. “The first time I’ve driven a Red Bull f1 car and certainly the first time with a hand clutch and two pedals
“Sebastian Vettel was due to drive one of the cars here but he’s on holiday with his family and wasn’t able to make Goodwood so the guys suggested why don’t you drive it?
“I haven’t driven a single-seater since 1998 and a Formula One car since 1993. So I thought there was the opportunity yesterday to drive a car with a hand clutch and a left foot brake.
“It was a great honour and a great privilege to drive one of these amazing cars, a championship winning car. It’s mind-boggling how quick these cars are and just how much aero influence there is.
“The biggest thing that struck me was when I lifted off, it’s like somebody’s thrown an anchor out. It’s like heavy braking in a road car. And then you hit the brakes and you’re struggling to keep your chin out of your chest.
“I enjoyed it so much I missed the pitlane and managed to squeeze in an extra lap.”
Horner’s first F1 drive also provided an opportunity to reconnect with his roots as a former racing driver. Before transitioning into team management, the Brit competed in Formula 3000 but retired from racing in 1998 due to limited success.
His journey from driver to team principal has been remarkable, leading Red Bull Racing through six Constructors’ Championship victories and overseeing some of the sport’s most iconic moments.
Horner’s first F1 drive was captured in behind-the-scenes footage released by Red Bull that also captures the electric atmosphere at Goodwood as various iconic Red Bull F1 cars took to the hill climb.
This included appearances by other notable figures associated with the energy drinks manufacurer, such as former drivers Mark Webber and Daniel Ricciardo, who delighted fans with their performances in championship-winning cars from previous seasons.
The event celebrated Red Bull’s storied history while also looking forward to its future in Formula 1. As part of this celebration, all 20 Red Bull F1 cars were on display at Goodwood, allowing fans to appreciate the evolution of their engineering prowess over two decades.
