Christian Horner has been removed from his position as Red Bull team principal, effective immediately, concluding his 20-year tenure with the Formula 1 squad.
The surprising decision was communicated to Horner on Tuesday evening. The 51-year-old then addressed the team emotionally at their UK base in Milton Keynes on Wednesday morning.
Reports suggest that two other senior managers closely associated with Horner have also departed from Red Bull.
According to Martin Brundle of Sky Sports F1, Horner stated he was given no specific reason for his dismissal. Red Bull`s official statement also omitted a reason.
Red Bull has confirmed that Laurent Mekies will take over as CEO and team principal, stepping up from the junior team Racing Bulls. Alan Permane will assume leadership at Racing Bulls.
In a video seen by Sky Sports News, a tearful Horner told Red Bull staff, “It came as a shock to myself.”
He added in his address, “I`ve had a chance to reflect over the last 12 hours and wanted to stand in front of all of you to break this news and to express my gratitude to each and every single member of the team that has given so much during the last 20-and-a-half years. When I arrived 20 years ago, there were a few less grey hairs. I walked into a team and did not know what to expect but I was immediately welcomed and we started to build what became a powerhouse in F1. Watching and being part of this team, has been the biggest privilege of my life.”
In Red Bull`s statement, managing director Oliver Mintzlaff commented,
“We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years. With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking, he has been instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful and attractive teams in Formula 1. Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history.”
Under Horner`s leadership, Red Bull dominated Formula 1 in two distinct eras: from 2010-2013 with Sebastian Vettel securing four consecutive drivers` and constructors` championships, and more recently with Max Verstappen winning the last four drivers` titles (2021-2024). The team also claimed constructors` titles in 2022 and 2023.
Red Bull`s Achievements Under Horner
- Eight Drivers` World Championship titles
- Six Constructors` Championship titles
- 124 wins
- 107 pole positions
- 287 podium finishes
Horner`s final 18 months in the role have been marked by significant challenges, both on and off the track. Allegations of inappropriate behavior were made against him by a female colleague in February 2024, though these were dismissed after an appeal the previous summer. Horner consistently denied these accusations.
In recent times, McLaren has emerged as a dominant force, surpassing Red Bull in performance. The team has also seen several high-profile departures over the past 18 months, including renowned designer Adrian Newey (to Aston Martin) and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley (to Sauber).
Horner`s final race managing the team was the British GP at Silverstone on Sunday, where Max Verstappen, starting from pole, finished fifth after a spin in wet conditions.
Four-time champion Max Verstappen currently trails championship leader Oscar Piastri by 69 points at the season`s halfway point.
Red Bull is currently positioned fourth in the constructors` standings, 288 points behind leaders McLaren, with Ferrari and Mercedes also ahead.
Verstappen has contributed the majority of Red Bull`s points this season (165 out of 172). His teammate, rookie Liam Lawson, was replaced after only two races, and Yuki Tsunoda, the current second driver, has struggled, finishing last in the previous two events.
Martin Brundle`s Analysis
Sky Sports F1 commentator Martin Brundle shared his perspective, stating,
“It is not completely out of the blue, given the problems in the team. I`m quite sad about it. I consider Christian a friend and he`s done an incredible job for 20 years… He took it from what was the Stewart team and Jaguar struggling, into a massive campus in Milton Keynes and had an awful lot of success and a huge trophy cabinet. It`s not too difficult to feel in the F1 paddock and to observe and hear that things were not particularly rosy.”
He speculated on the reasons, suggesting,
“[The allegations and investigation] are probably part of it but I believe it`s performance-related as well. It perhaps makes it more likely that the Verstappens will stay there – I think that became quite personal.”
Brundle reiterated,
“There are a number of aspects but particularly that the car is struggling, although they have won races brilliantly this year. Christian has told me `no reason was given to him` as to why he`s been released. Nothing is forever. Things move on.”
He noted Red Bull`s swift action in appointing replacements:
“Red Bull have already put in place significant changes with Laurent Mekies coming over from Racing Bulls – their sister team – and Alan Permane will take over the reins there, so they have quickly put into place solutions.”
Reasons Behind the Departure
Craig Slater from Sky Sports News provided further analysis on the factors leading to Horner`s exit, highlighting internal issues:
“In terms of why Horner and Red Bull have parted ways, we have to look at the fault lines which have been at that team for some time now. Part of that is the divided ownership of the team… That Austrian-owned section had largely been in control… Fifty-one per cent was Thai owned… who had previously been an ally of Christian Horner`s… while those investigations into some issues… the female member of staff making allegations… which two internal investigations cleared him of. Chalerm Yoovidhya stood by Christian Horner during this time. My understanding is that support eventually has gone away.”
He also pointed to other contributing factors:
“The other aspect to all of this has been the uneasy relationship between Horner and the Verstappens, particularly Jos Verstappen, Max Verstappen`s father… In the last year or so you`ve had a whole number of high-profile people leave the team. Jonathan Wheatley, Adrian Newey, the top designer, Rob Marshall… and other members of staff as well.”
Slater linked the issues to recent performance and the team`s image:
“Red Bull have been trying to build an engine for 2026 but I think the perceived strains within the team and the ebbing away of success on track and the fact that maybe the image of the team… They`ve seemed an unhappy team, that`s the only way to put it, in the last couple of years. It`s still a big surprise because this was a team still winning races, winning races this year and Christian Horner has been absolutely instrumental to that team becoming what it is today… I think this is the ultimate end of the power struggle which has been apparent in that team in the last couple of years and ultimately it`s a power struggle which Christian Horner has lost.”
Horner`s Two Decades at Red Bull
Christian Horner was appointed team principal of Red Bull in January 2005, shortly after the company acquired the Jaguar F1 team. At 31, he became the youngest team principal in Formula 1 at the time.
He played a role in bringing renowned designer Adrian Newey to the team in November 2005. Their first victory came in 2009 when Sebastian Vettel won the rain-affected Chinese Grand Prix.
The team secured five more wins that year, finishing second in the Constructors` Championship behind Brawn GP. Vettel also finished second in the drivers` standings.
From 2010 to 2013, Vettel and Red Bull achieved a period of dominance, winning four consecutive drivers` and constructors` championships.
The introduction of new engine regulations ended their initial era of dominance, with Mercedes becoming the leading team. Red Bull`s wins became less frequent in the following years, though Max Verstappen secured a victory on his debut for the team at the 2016 Spanish GP.
Despite not contending for the championship, Horner remained in charge. In 2021, Red Bull returned to championship success when Max Verstappen claimed the drivers` title in a controversial season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Verstappen successfully defended his title in 2022, the same year Red Bull won their first constructors` title in nine years. 2023 saw them achieve one of the most dominant seasons in F1 history, winning 21 out of 22 races.
However, the final 18 months of Horner`s tenure were overshadowed by allegations of inappropriate behavior.
Key Events in the Horner Story
- February 5 2024: Red Bull confirm investigation into Horner following allegations of inappropriate behaviour made by a female colleague. Horner `completely denies` the claims against him.
- February 9: Horner attends first meeting with external barrister.
- February 15: Horner speaks for first time at Red Bull launch and denies wrongdoing.
- February 22: Horner speaks again in F1 press conference and says he can`t comment on the process.
- February 28: Allegations against Horner dismissed.
- February 29: Horner reiterates denial after leak of alleged investigation material.
- March 7: Horner`s accuser suspended.
- March 16: Woman who accused Horner appeals decision by Red Bull.
- August 8: Appeal against Horner dismissed.
At the start of the 2024 season, Horner was cleared after an internal investigation into claims made by a female staff member. An appeal against this decision, submitted in March, was dismissed on August 8, 2024.
Max Verstappen`s Future
The future of Max Verstappen at Red Bull has also been uncertain, partly due to tensions. His father, Jos Verstappen, publicly stated a year ago that Red Bull would `explode` if Horner remained in charge.
Despite Verstappen winning his fourth consecutive title last year, speculation about his departure has persisted, even though he is contracted until 2028. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff recently confirmed holding talks with the Dutch driver.
Martin Brundle commented on Verstappen`s situation,
“It remains to be seen. Every point, podium, victory and world championship Max has, through his own genius driving, is in a Red Bull car… He`s often stated he wants to see his career out at Red Bull if he can. They are debuting their own engine for the first time next year… Christian has been in the driving seat of that aspect of the team completely… We know Max has an exit clause based on where he is in the world championship at the end of this month. Does this mean he`s more likely to go or more likely to stay? I can only surmise it means he`s more likely to stay at the team.”
What`s Next for Christian Horner?
It remains unclear what Christian Horner`s next steps will be. Throughout his 20 years, he attended every single Grand Prix with Red Bull.
He has previously been linked with the Ferrari team principal role. Reports last May suggested Ferrari bosses had made `informal` contact amid speculation about Fred Vasseur`s position.
Responding to those reports at the Spanish GP, Horner called it `very flattering to be associated with other teams` but affirmed his commitment to Red Bull at the time.
Currently, Alpine is the only team without a permanent team principal, though they recently appointed Steve Nielsen as managing director to oversee daily operations.
Sky Sports F1`s Karun Chandhok speculated on Horner`s potential next move:
“Christian has been one of the most successful team principals in the history of F1… Delivering 14 world championships in total is a fantastic record… He`s been in the pressure cooker of Formula 1 for 20 years… Perhaps he wants a little bit of time out. Could he go to Ferrari? … Personally I don`t think he`ll go there. Could he end up at Alpine? In terms of his personal life, he could carry on living in the UK… Alpine are still based in the Oxfordshire motorsport valley and they are looking for a team principal… That could be a future destination for Christian Horner if of course he does choose to carry on in the pressure cooker of Formula 1.”
Another possibility mentioned is that Horner could become an investor or part-owner in a team.
Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft offered his view:
“[Christian] looks at (Mercedes boss) Toto Wolff and sees a man that has risen in the same period to own a third of a Formula 1 team. Christian I`m sure will have half an envious eye on that and think `that`s exactly where I should be because I am of that stature`… If that opportunity arises we`ll definitely see Christian Horner back again… Alpine is the likely candidate for that but there might be other suitors for Alpine as well so it`s not a done deal… Ferrari was a speculation and that might be a bit wide of the mark as well… I think he`ll take some time out for the time being… but I would imagine at some point in the not too distant future we`ll be stood outside a team base somewhere saying Christian Horner has come back into Formula 1.”
Laurent Mekies: The New Team Principal
Laurent Mekies has served as team principal for Red Bull`s sister team, Racing Bulls, since the beginning of the 2024 season.
His Formula 1 career started in the early 2000s with Arrows, later moving to Minardi. Red Bull purchased Minardi in 2005 and rebranded it as Toro Rosso.
Mekies left Red Bull`s junior team in 2014 to join the FIA, the sport`s governing body, before moving to Ferrari in 2017 as their sporting director.
He was promoted to deputy team principal and racing director at Ferrari in 2021. It was announced in July 2023 that he would return to the Red Bull family to lead Racing Bulls, replacing Franz Tost.
In response to his new role, Mekies stated,
“Over the last year and a half it has been an absolute privilege to lead Racing Bulls and I would like to thank all of our talented people both in Faenza and Milton Keynes. Looking to the future, I am excited to be taking on the role of CEO and team principal of Red Bull Racing, one of the most successful and dynamic teams in the sport. It`s an honour to be part of this group of brilliant people that embody the Red Bull spirit.”
He concluded, “Together we will achieve great results, building on the incredible legacy left by Christian Horner during his two decades in charge.”
