Toto Wolff takes over Christian Horner F1 role after…. read more
Toto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes Formula 1 team, has officially become the longest-serving team boss currently active in the sport following the unexpected departure of Christian Horner from Red Bull Racing. Horner, who had held the position since 2005, was abruptly dismissed earlier this week in a surprise move that shocked the Formula 1 community. His place has now been taken by Laurent Mekies, formerly in charge of Red Bull’s sister team, Racing Bulls.
Horner’s journey in Formula 1 began in 2005 when he was just 31 years old. At the time, he made history as the youngest team principal the sport had ever seen. He was appointed after Red Bull purchased the Jaguar F1 team at the end of the 2004 season. Over the course of two decades, Horner established himself as a leading figure in motorsport, guiding Red Bull to an impressive haul of 14 world championships and securing 124 Grand Prix victories. His tenure marked a golden era for Red Bull Racing, and he remained a central figure in the sport until his mid-season dismissal in 2025.
With Horner now out of the picture, Toto Wolff inherits the title of longest-serving F1 team boss. Wolff took charge of Mercedes on January 21, 2013, and has now served in the role for over 12 years. Under his leadership, Mercedes has enjoyed unprecedented success, including multiple constructors’ and drivers’ championships. His longevity at the helm is now unmatched in the current F1 paddock.
The leadership shake-up at Red Bull has had a ripple effect across the Formula 1 paddock, prompting a broader reshuffle of team principals within the Red Bull family. Laurent Mekies has taken over at Red Bull Racing, while Alan Permane has been appointed to lead Racing Bulls. These changes signal a new chapter for Red Bull’s F1 ambitions and introduce a new generation of team bosses.
A full list of current team principals and their time in office reflects the dynamic nature of leadership within the sport. Following Wolff in terms of tenure are McLaren’s Andrea Stella, appointed in December 2022, and Ferrari’s Frédéric Vasseur, who joined in January 2023. Other relatively recent appointments include James Vowles at Williams (February 2023), Ayao Komatsu at Haas (January 2024), and Andy Cowell at Aston Martin (January 2025).
Several teams have seen even more recent changes. Jonathan Wheatley took charge at Sauber/Audi F1 in April 2025, while Alpine introduced a dual leadership structure with Flavio Briatore and Steve Nielsen taking over in May and July 2025 respectively. Laurent Mekies’ appointment at Red Bull and Alan Permane’s at Racing Bulls both occurred on July 9, 2025, making them the newest additions to the grid.
As Formula 1 evolves, leadership stability remains a crucial asset. With Horner’s departure, the sport closes a chapter on one of its most successful team bosses, while Toto Wolff continues to lead Mercedes and now holds the record for the longest continuous service among current F1 team principals.
