Red Bull Racing has sacked Christian Horner as team principal and CEO, ending his 20-year tenure with the team. The announcement, made on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, comes just days after the British Grand Prix and follows a turbulent 18 months for Horner, marked by both on-track struggles and off-track controversies. Laurent Mekies, previously team principal at Red Bull’s sister team Racing Bulls, has been appointed as the new CEO of Red Bull Racing, with Alan Permane stepping into the team principal role at Racing Bulls.
Horner, 51, has been a central figure in Red Bull’s rise to dominance in Formula 1 since the team’s inception in 2005. Under his leadership, Red Bull secured eight drivers’ championships and six constructors’ titles, with drivers Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen leading the charge during two distinct eras of success. However, the team’s performance has faltered in the 2024 and 2025 seasons, with Red Bull slipping to fourth in the constructors’ standings, 288 points behind leaders McLaren, and Verstappen trailing championship leader Oscar Piastri by 69 points. The departure of key figures like technical director Adrian Newey to Aston Martin and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley to Sauber further exposed vulnerabilities within the team.
The decision to part ways with Horner, the longest-serving team principal in Formula 1, follows a year of intense scrutiny. In early 2024, Horner was embroiled in a scandal involving allegations of inappropriate behavior toward a female Red Bull employee, with leaked WhatsApp messages fueling media attention. Although internal investigations cleared Horner of wrongdoing, the controversy cast a long shadow, with tensions reportedly exacerbated by public criticism from Jos Verstappen, father of Red Bull’s star driver Max Verstappen. Jos Verstappen had warned that the team was “in danger of being torn apart” if Horner remained in his role, a sentiment that appears to have gained traction within Red Bull’s leadership.
“We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years,” said Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull’s CEO of Corporate Projects and Investments, in a statement. “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.” Despite the praise, Red Bull’s statement did not specify a reason for Horner’s immediate departure, though German newspaper BILD reported that negotiations to terminate his contract were underway.
The timing of the sacking has raised eyebrows, with some speculating it may be linked to ongoing legal proceedings related to the 2024 allegations, set to be judged in court in January 2026. Others point to Red Bull’s declining performance and internal power struggles as key factors. Dutch journalist Erik van Haren wrote on social media, “The bomb has dropped at Red Bull Racing. Team boss and CEO Christian Horner has been sacked after more than 20 years.” He suggested that the team’s struggles, including a failure to develop a competitive car and a lagging 2026 engine program, contributed to the decision.
Laurent Mekies, Horner’s successor, steps into a challenging role as Red Bull seeks to regain its competitive edge. The 48-year-old Frenchman, who has expressed pride in his previous work with Racing Bulls, now faces the task of stabilizing a team in crisis. “The last year and a half has been an absolute privilege to lead the team with Peter [Bayer],” Mekies said in a statement released by Racing Bulls. “It has been an amazing adventure to contribute to the birth of Racing Bulls together with all our talented people.” His appointment signals a new chapter for Red Bull, with Alan Permane’s promotion at Racing Bulls ensuring continuity within the organization.
The announcement has sparked varied reactions within the F1 community. One fan on X remarked, “I’m not a fan of Horner, but he’s consistently done a great job and built and rebuilt championship winners. Strange decision at a strange time for me.” Another commented, “There’s more to this, maybe there was some basis to the complaints around those inappropriate texts?” The sentiment reflects the polarizing nature of Horner’s tenure, which combined remarkable success with persistent controversy.
Horner’s departure also raises questions about Max Verstappen’s future with Red Bull. Reports suggest the four-time world champion, who is under contract until 2028, has been linked to Mercedes, particularly as Red Bull’s performance has waned. The team’s struggles at the recent British Grand Prix, where Verstappen finished fifth and teammate Yuki Tsunoda placed 15th, underscored the challenges ahead for Mekies and Red Bull.