Christian Horner has revealed his true feelings on Red Bull after a text was 'leaked' during the Italian Grand Prix.
Horner, 51, was dismissed as Red Bull team principal in July, following more than two decades in the role.
After guiding Max Verstappen to four consecutive drivers' world titles, Red Bull had struggled to keep pace with McLaren this season.
But Verstappen dominated at Monza, converting his pole position into a near-20-second victory over second-place Lando Norris.
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Although he won comfortably in the end, it was a dramatic start to the race.
Norris and Verstappen went wheel-to-wheel into the first corner and Verstappen cut the chicane.
Red Bull immediately instructed him to give the place back, which he did at the end of the opening lap.
But it did not take Verstappen long to regain his advantage, overtaking Norris at the beginning of lap four.
From that point onwards, it was a comfortable race for Verstappen, who won his third Grand Prix of the season.
Horner also shared his feelings on the strong performance in Italy.
During the race, Sky F1 commentator Martin Brundle revealed a text he had received from Horner.
Brundle said: “A message from Christian Horner here, actually, saying: ‘This was our worst race last year.
"We had the wrong downforce level,’ and how hard the team have worked on that package and done a great job. Of course, they’ve turned it around.”
Last year, Verstappen had a difficult Grand Prix in Monza, finishing sixth as he described his car 'undriveable'.
Fast forward 12 months and the Dutchman enjoyed his first victory since May at the Emilia Romagna GP.
Despite Verstappen's strong showing, the struggles of Red Bull's second driver continued, with Yuki Tsunoda finishing 13th.
Tsunoda is the latest in a line of drivers to be tasked with filling the second seat, following Sergio Perez and Liam Lawson.
Since replacing Lawson just two races into the season, Tsunoda has managed just nine points, while Verstappen has mustered 194 and three race wins in that period.
It prompted speculation that Red Bull will look to make yet another change to their driver lineup at the end of the season.
Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar continued to impress as he finished in the points at Monza, following his standout podium at the Dutch GP last weekend.
After such a promising debut season, there is no guarantee Hadjar would agree to a switch to the second Red Bull seat.
Topics: Formula 1, Christian Horner, Max Verstappen, Motorsport
James Taylor