Sports (Commonwealth Union) _ The Team Principal of Red Bull Racing has been officially dismissed from his position, following a 20-year period at the helm of one of the most successful Formula 1 teams in history. A spokesperson for the team confirmed, while speaking with CNN Sports, that the date of Horner’s departure will be July 9, ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, which is scheduled to be held on July 27.
Horner’s dismissal comes after months of scrutiny within the organisation in relation to his conduct, where an independent investigation was prompted by a complaint made by a female employee. Although Horner was later cleared of misconduct, leaked messages circulated within the F1 community, triggering debate. The company has not released any full details regarding the allegations or the findings of the investigation but, however, seemingly upholds its internal code of conduct and policies.
Christian Horner has served as the team principal since 2005 with Red Bull’s acquisition of the Jaguar Racing team and its entry into Formula 1. The youngest team principal on the grid, Horner has held the position for around two decades, with Red Bull securing six Constructors’ Championships and 8 Drivers’ Championships, with Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen each winning four consecutive championships.
Red Bull’s Chief Executive for corporate projects, Oliver Mintzlaff, acknowledged Horner’s major role in transforming the team and praised his “tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking” in building Red Bull into one of F1’s most formidable forces.
Horner posted on Instagram, expressing deep gratitude, reflecting on his two-decade journey with the team he described as having “absolutely loved.” He thanked the staff at the factory for their dedication, stating, “Win and lose, every step of the way, we have stood by each other as one.” His farewell message conveyed pride in their collective achievements, noting the wins and losses had forged an “epic Team.”
Laurent Mekies, previously team principal and CEO of Red Bull’s sister outfit, Racing Bulls, has been named as Horner’s successor. The Frenchman paid tribute to Horner’s legacy in his own statement, describing it as “incredible” and celebrating the enduring Red Bull spirit, pledging to build on past successes and achieve impressive results.
Additionally, speculation linking Verstappen to Mercedes has intensified in recent weeks, although Verstappen himself has remained tight-lipped. His manager, Raymond Vermeulen, stated they had been informed in advance of Horner’s exit and are awaiting further clarification on Red Bull’s decision. Verstappen also took to social media to thank Horner: “From my first race win, to four world championships… Thank you for everything, Christian!” The message reflects the strong bond the driver shared with his long-time principal.
Horner’s exit and the implications that it might hold for the future of the Red Bull Team have also drawn attention to championship-winning team principals, such as Mercedes’ Toto Wolff and Ferrari’s Mattia Binotto, whose contrasting philosophies represent diverse leadership tactics in Formula 1 racing. As Mekies steps up in the role, the scrutiny falls on how he would preserve Red Bull’s identity while adapting to developing regulations and the fierce rivalry across the grid and how he would maintain Red Bull’s dominance amid increasing pressure from the other leading teams like McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari.
As the 2025 Formula 1 season moves into its second half, the attention rests on how Red Bull adapts to this sudden change in leadership, as the team strains to increase their performance, sitting fourth in the Constructors’ standings. Verstappen currently holds third in the Drivers’ Championship, 69 points behind the currently leading driver, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, followed by his McLaren Teammate, Lando Norris, who was the runner-up at the 2024 championship, and currently stands 61 points above Verstappen.
