After two decades leading the Red Bull Formula 1 team, Christian Horner has been removed from his role as team principal, effective immediately.
Red Bull informed Horner of the sudden decision on Tuesday evening. The 51-year-old then spoke to the team the following morning at their Milton Keynes headquarters, delivering an emotional address.
Reports indicate that two other high-ranking managers closely associated with Horner have also departed from Red Bull.
F1 commentator Martin Brundle mentioned that Horner stated he was not given a reason for his dismissal. Red Bull`s official statement similarly did not provide a specific cause.
Red Bull confirmed that Laurent Mekies, previously with their sister team Racing Bulls, will take over from Horner as CEO and team principal. Alan Permane will assume leadership at Racing Bulls.
It came as a shock to myself. 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 a statement from the team, Red Bull managing director Oliver Mintzlaff expressed gratitude to Horner, saying:
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.
During his leadership, Horner presided over two eras of Red Bull dominance in Formula 1. Sebastian Vettel secured four consecutive drivers` and constructors` championships from 2010 to 2013. Max Verstappen won the last four drivers` championships (2021-2024), and Red Bull also claimed the constructors` title in 2022 and 2023.
Red Bull`s Achievements Under Horner
- 8 Drivers` World Championships
- 6 Constructors` Championships
- 124 Race Wins
- 107 Pole Positions
- 287 Podium Finishes
The final 18 months of Horner`s tenure were marked by challenges both within and outside of racing. Notably, accusations of inappropriate behaviour brought by a female staff member in February 2024 were dismissed after an appeal last summer. Horner consistently denied the allegations.
In recent times, McLaren has emerged as a dominant force in F1, surpassing Red Bull. The Milton Keynes-based team has also seen several key personnel departures in the last year and a half, including highly regarded designer Adrian Newey (reportedly to Aston Martin) and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley (reportedly to Sauber).
Horner`s final race leading the team was the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on Sunday. Max Verstappen started from pole position but finished fifth after spinning in wet conditions. At the season`s halfway point, the four-time champion trails championship leader Oscar Piastri by 69 points.
Red Bull currently sits fourth in the constructors` standings, 288 points behind McLaren, with Ferrari and Mercedes also ahead. Verstappen has earned the vast majority of the team`s points this season (165 out of 172). His initial teammate, rookie Liam Lawson, was replaced after only two races, and Yuki Tsunoda, the other Red Bull driver, has also faced difficulties, finishing last in the two most recent races.
Analysis: Strains and Performance Issues at Red Bull
According to F1 commentator Martin Brundle, Horner`s departure wasn`t entirely unexpected given the team`s internal issues. Brundle, who considers Horner a friend, acknowledged his “incredible job” over two decades, highlighting his role in transforming the team from the struggling Stewart/Jaguar outfits into a powerhouse with numerous wins and championships. Brundle felt that the atmosphere within the F1 paddock suggested things were “not particularly rosy” at Red Bull.
He speculated that while the allegations likely played a role, performance issues were also a factor. Brundle suggested the change might make it more probable that the Verstappen family remains with the team, viewing the previous situation as having become “quite personal”. He noted the current car`s struggles despite recent wins.
No reason was given to him as to why he`s been released. Nothing is forever. Things move on.
Brundle concluded by mentioning that Red Bull has swiftly implemented solutions, naming Laurent Mekies as the replacement and Alan Permane taking over at Racing Bulls.
Analysis: Loss of Support and Team Fault Lines
Commenting on the reasons for the separation, analyst Craig Slater pointed to long-standing “fault lines” within the team. He highlighted the split ownership structure: the Austrian Mateschitz family holding 49% (traditionally overseeing sports projects like F1) and the Thai ownership (Chalerm Yoovidhya) holding 51%. Slater noted that Yoovidhya had previously supported Horner, particularly through investigations into allegations of inappropriate behaviour (which internal probes cleared him of). However, this support appears to have waned.
Another contributing factor, according to Slater, was the strained relationship between Horner and the Verstappen family, specifically Max`s father, Jos.
Slater also mentioned the departure of several key figures over the last year or so, including Jonathan Wheatley, lead designer Adrian Newey, and Rob Marshall (described as very successful at McLaren, having moved there from Red Bull).
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, and image is a big thing for Red Bull remember they are selling a drink… 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. He`s built it up from a very small operation.
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.
Christian Horner`s Two-Decade Leadership at Red Bull
Appointed in January 2005, shortly after Red Bull acquired the Jaguar F1 team, the 31-year-old Horner became the youngest team principal in Formula 1 history. He was instrumental in bringing Adrian Newey to the team later that year.
Red Bull`s first victory came in the 2009 Chinese Grand Prix with Sebastian Vettel. That year, Red Bull finished second in the constructors` standings with six wins, and Vettel was runner-up in the drivers` championship.
The team, led by Horner and featuring Vettel, then achieved four consecutive double championship wins (Drivers` and Constructors`) from 2010 to 2013, marking a dominant era.
Mercedes took over dominance with the rule changes in 2014, and Red Bull`s win tally decreased significantly in the following years, though Max Verstappen secured a win on his team debut in Spain in 2016.
Horner stayed at the helm, and Red Bull returned to championship success in 2021 when Verstappen won the drivers` title in the controversial Abu Dhabi finale.
The Dutchman would retain his title the following year as Red Bull won their first constructors` title for nine years in 2022 before 2023 would see unparalleled dominance, with Red Bull winning 21 out of 22 races.
But over the past 18 months, Horner`s future has been under the microscope after allegations of inappropriate behaviour were made against him.
Timeline of Events
- February 5, 2024: Red Bull announces an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior against Horner, who denies the claims.
- February 9: Horner meets with an external barrister regarding the investigation.
- February 15: Speaking publicly for the first time on the matter, Horner denies any wrongdoing.
- February 22: Horner reiterates his inability to comment on the ongoing process during an F1 press conference.
- February 28: Red Bull dismisses the allegations against Horner following the internal investigation.
- February 29: Horner again denies the claims after alleged investigation materials are leaked.
- March 7: The female employee who made the allegations is suspended.
- March 16: The woman appeals Red Bull`s decision to dismiss the allegations.
- August 8, 2024: Red Bull confirms the dismissal of the appeal.
At last year`s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, he was cleared following an internal investigation into claims of wrongdoing by a female staff member at Red Bull. Red Bull confirmed on August 8 2024 the dismissal of an appeal, which was submitted in March.
Max Verstappen`s Future
Max Verstappen`s situation at Red Bull has also drawn attention. A year prior in Bahrain, his father Jos had suggested the team would “explode” if Horner stayed.
Despite his contract running until 2028, Verstappen has been rumoured to be considering a move, with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff recently confirming discussions with him.
Brundle noted that all of Verstappen`s F1 successes have come with Red Bull. He added that Max has often expressed a desire to finish his career there, highlighting Red Bull`s development of their own engine for the significant 2026 rule changes, an area where Horner was deeply involved.
Brundle also mentioned Verstappen has a contract exit clause tied to his championship position at the end of the current month, but speculated that Horner`s departure makes it *more* likely, not less, that Verstappen will remain at Red Bull.
Christian Horner`s Next Steps
Christian Horner`s future plans are currently unknown. For two decades, the 51-year-old attended every Red Bull Grand Prix.
Past speculation linked him to the Ferrari team principal role; a German report in May claimed Ferrari had made “informal” contact amid questions over Fred Vasseur`s position. Horner commented at the Spanish GP that such associations were “flattering” but reaffirmed his commitment to Red Bull at the time.
Currently, Alpine is the only team without a designated team principal, though they recently appointed Steve Nielsen as managing director and have Flavio Briatore involved as an executive consultant.
F1 analyst Karun Chandhok praised Horner as one of the most successful team principals in F1 history, citing his 14 world championships won over 20 years. Chandhok suggested Horner might take a break after such intense involvement, having famously never missed a race with Red Bull. While acknowledging the past Ferrari rumours, Chandhok doubted that move was likely now.
He saw Alpine as a potential destination, noting its UK base aligns with Horner`s personal life, although he questioned if Horner would want to jump back into the intensity of F1 immediately.
Another possibility discussed by analyst David Croft is Horner becoming an investor or part-owner. Croft suggested Horner might look to emulate Mercedes boss Toto Wolff`s ownership stake.
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.
Croft views Alpine as a likely candidate for a return but noted potential alternative suitors and questions about Horner`s financial backing compared to Wolff. He considered the Ferrari link less probable and too soon.
I think he`ll take some time out for the time being, he doesn`t have to rush into anything 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: Christian Horner`s Successor
Laurent Mekies has been appointed as Christian Horner`s successor. Mekies had been leading 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 and then Minardi, which was later acquired by Red Bull and became Toro Rosso.
He left F1 in 2014 to work for the FIA, returning to Ferrari in 2017 as sporting director. He rose to deputy team principal and racing director at Ferrari in 2021 before the July 2023 announcement of his move back to the now-named Racing Bulls to replace Franz Tost as team principal.
Mekies commented on his new role, stating it was “an absolute privilege” to lead Racing Bulls and expressing excitement about taking on the CEO and team principal role at Red Bull Racing, which he described as “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. Together we will achieve great results, building on the incredible legacy left by Christian Horner during his two decades in charge.
Marcus Prine