Former Red Bull boss received £80 million: what Patrese said about his departure.

According to The Sun: The departure of Christian Horner from the Red Bull Racing team sparked criticism from his friend Riccardo Patrese.

The six-time Formula 1 Grand Prix winner noted that Horner is 'taking a break' after being fired.

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Horner, who is 51 years old, was fired from Red Bull Racing after 20 years of service, during which the team won 14 drivers' and constructors' titles.

He received a payout of £80 million, as his contract was terminated five years early.

Patrese insists that Horner is enjoying his new free time:

“I am happy for him because I am a friend of Christian. What happened to him last year was wrong. His personal life is his personal life. I believe he was treated poorly, but in the end he received a substantial amount.”

He also noted that Horner may now have the time to rest at home:

“I have seen him riding. I think it's good for him to have that amount, and I am sure he is a very capable person.”

“Now it all depends on him: whether he will find another job in Formula 1 and if he will return again.”

Horner's departure followed a challenging year and a half during which he faced allegations of inappropriate behavior, which he denied. Two internal investigations cleared him.

Moreover, during this period, the performance of Red Bull Racing began to decline.

After being fired, Horner has possible options to collaborate with Aston Martin, Alpine, and Ferrari teams.

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsus confirmed that Horner had been negotiating to join their team.

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Thus, the events surrounding Christian Horner continue to evolve. His dismissal became a significant moment for the Red Bull Racing team and opens new opportunities for Horner in the world of Formula 1. We can only hope that he finds a new team and continues his professional career in motorsport.