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Red Bull Ends 20-Year Reign: Christian Horner Sacked as Team Principal
July 9, 2025 – Milton Keynes, UK – In a seismic shake-up that has sent shockwaves through Formula 1, Red Bull Racing has terminated Christian Horner’s role as Team Principal and CEO with immediate effect, ending a remarkable two-decade tenure that saw the team rise from fledgling contender to global powerhouse.
The announcement came early Wednesday morning (July 9), confirmed in a statement from Red Bull’s parent company. Laurent Mekies, principal of Red Bull’s sister outfit Racing Bulls, steps up as the new CEO of Red Bull Racing, while Alan Permane will assume the Racing Bulls leadership role .
A Storied Career Comes to a Sudden Halt
Joining Red Bull in 2005, Horner transformed the team from relative newcomer to dominant force, claiming eight Drivers’ Championships and six Constructors’ titles, including Vettel’s four‑peat (2010–13) and Verstappen’s consecutive wins from 2021 to 2024 .
However, the 2025 season has been more daunting. Red Bull currently lags behind the likes of McLaren and Mercedes, languishing fourth in the Constructors’ standings and leaving star driver Max Verstappen frustrated with an uncompetitive car ().
Adding pressure to the already volatile mix were recent internal controversies. Although cleared in February 2024 of allegations involving inappropriate behavior by a female employee—after a thorough investigation and appeal—those incidents reportedly deepened friction within Red Bull’s management .
Power Struggles and Internal Dynamics
Behind the scenes, tensions have simmered between Horner, the Austrian shareholders of Red Bull GmbH, influential advisor Helmut Marko, and Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen, who previously called for Horner’s removal . The death of co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022 further shifted the balance of power, elevating corporate control and diluting Horner’s once-unquestioned autonomy .
Official Statements and Legacy
Red Bull’s official statement lauded Horner:
“With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking, he has been instrumental in building this Team into one of the most successful in F1.”
Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff added:
“Thank you for everything Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history.”
Neither Horner nor Red Bull Racing have issued personal statements beyond the corporate release. Fellow drivers and former F1 figures have responded with shock and condolences, acknowledging Horner’s profound impact on modern racing.
Implications for Red Bull and Verstappen
The move signals a strategic pivot mid‑season. Max Verstappen, once reportedly aligned with Horner, is now losing his mentor amidst broader concerns: the departure of technical director Adrian Newey, sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, and uncertainty around Verstappen’s future—rumored to include a potential switch to Mercedes .
Laurent Mekies now faces the double challenge of steadying the team and revitalizing on-track performance before the Belgian Grand Prix in two weeks.
Industry Reaction
Prominent figures have spoken out:
•Martin Brundle expressed sadness:
“I consider Christian a friend and he has done an incredible job… but it has not been difficult to feel… things were not particularly rosy.”
•Jos Verstappen—Max’s father—had publicly questioned Horner’s leadership, reportedly fuelling the internal turmoil ().
What Comes Next?
With Mekies now at the helm and Permane stepping into the support team’s shoes, Red Bull’s immediate focus will be:
1.Car performance upgrades aimed at reversing on-track form, particularly at Imola.
2.Stabilising internal cohesion, mending fractures among staff, drivers, and ownership.
3.Reassuring Max Verstappen, whose commitment may hinge on the team’s trajectory.
Horner’s departure marks the end of a formative era in Formula 1—and the beginning of a high-stakes transition for Red Bull Racing.
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