Red Bull shock: Christian Horner sacked as team principal after 19 years in charge

In a stunning development for the world of Formula 1, Christian Horner has been dismissed as team principal of Red Bull Racing, bringing an end to a 19-year tenure that oversaw six constructors’ championships and eight drivers’ titles.

The announcement was made on Wednesday morning via a brief Red Bull statement thanking Horner for his “exceptional work” and confirming that Laurent Mekies – formerly team principal at sister team Racing Bulls – will take over the role with immediate effect.

No specific reason was given for Horner’s sudden departure, though speculation will inevitably focus on the internal scandal that rocked the team earlier this year. Horner, 51, was accused by a female Red Bull employee of “inappropriate behaviour”, with leaked messages dominating headlines. Although an independent investigation cleared him of wrongdoing and an appeal was dismissed, the incident cast a long shadow over Red Bull’s early 2025 campaign.

Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff said in a statement: “We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years.

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 One. Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history.”

Horner’s wife, former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, had publicly stood by him during the controversy, appearing at the Bahrain Grand Prix in a show of support that briefly quelled media speculation. However, Red Bull’s recent dip in performance – with Max Verstappen winning only two of the first 12 races this season – may have added pressure behind the scenes.

The team’s poor showing at Sunday’s British Grand Prix, where Verstappen finished fifth, now marks Horner’s final race in charge – a muted end to a career that saw Red Bull rise from mid-field debutants to F1 titans.

Laurent Mekies now faces the considerable challenge of steadying a team amid internal upheaval and an increasingly competitive grid. His appointment is likely to raise questions about stability within the Red Bull camp, with potential implications for Verstappen’s long-term future and the team’s broader leadership structure.

More details are expected in the coming days, as the F1 paddock absorbs one of the sport’s most significant leadership shakeups in recent memory.

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Red Bull shock: Christian Horner sacked as team principal after 19 years in charge