Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has opened his upcoming memoir, Drive, with the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The decision, he says, was a storytelling choice designed to grab readers from page one. The book is slated for release on 22 October 2026.
Why the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?
The 2021 finale confirmed Max Verstappen’s first Formula 1 world title, a moment that remains divisive among fans. Horner noted that the race featured Lewis Hamilton and Verstappen tied on points – a rare end‑of‑season showdown. "I just wanted to grab the reader, you know, page one," he told Motorsport.com, explaining that the high‑stakes climax made an instant hook.
Red Bull entered the race 28 points behind Mercedes in the constructors’ standings, adding further pressure. Horner described the season as “epic” and said the whole story could have been told solely through the Abu Dhabi event. He also highlighted the contentious last‑lap finish and the departure of race director Michael Masi, arguing that starting with the most debated chapter lets him control the narrative from the outset.
Rivalry and respect: Horner on Toto Wolff
Horner’s memoir does not shy away from the intense rivalry with Mercedes. He praised Toto Wolff as a “formidable competitor” and acknowledged the role of that competition in shaping the 2021 campaign. "Toto's a formidable competitor and Mercedes are a massive team and of course the success that they've enjoyed and had… that's what made '21 even more important to us," Horner said.
The former Red Bull chief added that rivalry fuels sport, noting that “you need to have rivalry. You can't all just be best friends all of the time.” He credited the fierce competition with galvanising both teams and keeping the championship battle alive until the very last lap.
Memoir launch and book tour
Drive will hit shelves on 22 October, with a UK book tour already announced. Horner plans to discuss the season’s highs and lows, the pressure of a title fight, and the personal dynamics behind the scenes. The tour will give fans a chance to hear the stories behind the headlines, from the dramatic Abu Dhabi finish to the behind‑the‑scenes tension with race officials.
By opening with the most talked‑about race, Horner hopes to set a tone of honesty and drama for the rest of his two‑decade‑long career narrative. The memoir promises insight into the sport’s evolution, the rivalries that defined it, and the moments that still spark debate among enthusiasts worldwide.