Red Bull Racing shocked the Formula One world on Wednesday by announcing the immediate departure of Christian Horner, its longtime team principal, ending a two-decade partnership that produced eight drivers' championships and redefined the sport's competitive landscape.
The abrupt decision, revealed in a brief statement, offered no explanation for Horner's exit but acknowledged his "tremendous contributions" to the team. Laurent Mekies, currently with sister team Racing Bulls, will assume Horner's dual roles as team principal and CEO.
Horner's tenure saw Red Bull dominate F1 through eras led by Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, who posted a heartfelt tribute: "From my first race win to four world championships… Thank you for everything, Christian!" The Dutch driver remains third in this year's standings despite Red Bull's recent performance decline amid McLaren's resurgence.
Sky Sports captured emotional scenes at Red Bull's Milton Keynes headquarters, where Horner called his dismissal a "shock" during an address to staff. His exit follows a turbulent period marked by leadership changes since the 2022 death of Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz, including the departures of technical guru Adrian Newey and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley.
While Horner maintained public composure during last week's British Grand Prix, tensions had simmered since February when he and Verstappen faced boos at a season launch event. The 50-year-old executive became a global celebrity through Netflix's "Drive to Survive," which highlighted his rivalry with Mercedes' Toto Wolff.
Red Bull now faces critical decisions as it prepares for the Audi works team's 2026 entry, with current driver Yuki Tsunoda struggling to score points alongside Verstappen. The leadership transition marks a pivotal moment for a team navigating both sporting challenges and post-Mateschitz corporate evolution.
