Christian Horner has been released from his post as Red Bull’s team principal with immediate effect. Horner, who was reportedly reduced to tears when he informed his staff, has been in charge of Red Bull since the team was formed in 2005 and will be replaced by the principal of sister team Racing Bulls, Laurent Mekies.
Horner’s surprise removal as principal and chief executive of Red Bull Racing was confirmed in a statement from Red Bull’s parent company on Wednesday morning and comes just over 17 months since he was embroiled in a scandal involving accusations of inappropriate behaviour by an employee, though he was later cleared by an investigation.
Horner and Red Bull have still yet to comment, with all enquiries on the decision to the Red Bull team being directed toward the parent company Red Bull GmbH. However the former F1 driver and friend of Horner, Martin Brundle, stated that: “Christian has told me: ‘no reason was given to him’ as to why he’s been released”.
“I don’t think it is completely out of the blue given the things that are going on and the problems in the team,” added Brundle. “I am quite sad about it as I consider Christian a friend and he has done an incredible job for 20 years and won an awful lot of races and world championships for drivers and the team.
“But it has not been difficult to feel in the Formula One paddock to observe and hear that things were not particularly rosy.”
Having been informed of the decision an emtional Horner travelled to the team’s Milton Keynes factory to tell his team in person. Having done so a statement was publicly released by the Red Bull GmbH.
The world champion Max Verstappen was not in attendance but he later posted on social media a picture of him celebrating with Horner and wrote: “From my first race win, to four world championships, we have shared incredible successes. Winning memorable races and breaking countless records. Thank you for everything, Christian”.
The statement from Red Bull GmbH read: “Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today [Wednesday 9 July 2025] and has appointed Laurent Mekies as CEO of Red Bull Racing. Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO Corporate Projects and Investments thanked Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years.”
“We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years.” said Mintzlaff. “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 the 51-year-old’s leadership Red Bull have won eight drivers’ championships and six constructors’ championships as one of Formula One’s most successful teams. However, during the investigation into Horner’s behaviour it was understood there had been a power struggle between Horner and the parent company, with Jos Verstappen, the father of the world champion, Max, openly calling for him to be removed. Horner appeared to have weathered that storm and attended Silverstone at the weekend and the paddock did not expect his sacking to take place.
Horner took on his role when Red Bull bought the ailing Jaguar team at the end of 2004. At 31-years-old he became the youngest team principal in F1 and 20 years later he leaves as the longest-serving.
He oversaw four drivers’ and constructors’ world championships with Sebastian Vettel between 2010 and 2013 and then a resurgence after seven years of Mercedes dominance for Max Verstappen to take the first of his four consecutive titles in 2021. All of which were in car’s designed by Adrian Newey, the most successful designer in F1’s modern era but whom left to join Aston Martin last year.
Horner has enjoyed remarkable success but in the past two year’s Red Bull have struggled. They have lost key personnel and this year their car has been thoroughly outpaced by McLaren and at times both Mercedes and Ferrari. Verstappen, who was fifth at last weekend’s British GP, is now 69 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri and has conceded he does not believe he is in the title fight.
Racing Bulls have confirmed that their racing director, Alan Permane, will replace Mekies as Racing Bulls’ principal. The 48-year-old Mekies has been team principal at Racing Bulls since the start of 2024 and was previously racing director at Ferrari.
