In a significant shake-up for Red Bull Racing, Christian Horner has been officially sacked as CEO and team principal, a decision announced on Wednesday. Oliver Mintzlaff, the CEO of corporate projects and investments for Red Bull, expressed gratitude for Horner’s two-decade tenure, stating, “We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years.” Mintzlaff noted Horner’s “tireless commitment, experience, expertise, and innovative thinking,” which has been crucial in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful teams in Formula 1. He concluded, “Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history.”
This unexpected move comes during a challenging period for the Formula One team, which has struggled to produce a competitive car this season. Currently, Red Bull is sitting fourth in the constructors’ standings, primarily due to the stellar performances of Max Verstappen. A spokesperson for Red Bull confirmed, “Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today (Wednesday, 9 July 2025) and has appointed Laurent Mekies as CEO of Red Bull Racing.” Mekies, who previously served as the team principal of Racing Bulls, will take over Horner’s responsibilities immediately, while racing director Alan Permane is set to lead the sister team.
In his first statement as the new CEO, Mekies reflected on his time with Red Bull, saying, “The last year and a half has been an absolute privilege to lead the team with Peter Bayer. It has been an amazing adventure to contribute to the birth of Racing Bulls together with all our talented people.” Mekies added, “The spirit of the whole team is incredible, and I strongly believe that this is just the beginning. Alan is the perfect man to take over now and continue our path.”
Christian Horner has been at the helm of Red Bull Racing since the team’s entry into Formula 1 in 2005. Under his leadership, the team achieved remarkable success, including overseeing Sebastian Vettel’s championship wins in the 2010s and Verstappen’s four titles since 2021. Throughout his tenure, Red Bull secured an impressive 124 victories, 107 pole positions, 287 podium finishes, eight drivers’ world championships, and six constructors’ titles, the latest being a dominant performance in the 2023 season. However, this year has seen a shift, with McLaren outperforming Red Bull and both the team and Verstappen facing challenges in the title race.
Amidst the team's struggles, speculation has also been rife regarding Verstappen’s future with Red Bull. Recent discussions have suggested that the Dutch driver might consider a switch to Mercedes before his contract expires in 2028. During the British Grand Prix weekend, George Russell, whose contract ends this season, remarked, “The likelihood I’m not at Mercedes next year, I think, is exceptionally low.”
The last 18 months have been tumultuous within Red Bull Racing, marked by the departure of several senior figures, including Jonathan Wheatley, who became Sauber’s team principal, and Adrian Newey, who joined Aston Martin. The team has faced performance downturns, leading Verstappen to express his frustration with the car’s handling. He has only managed to win two races this season, while the second Red Bull seat has seen a driver swap from Liam Lawson to Yuki Tsunoda due to underperformance.
In February 2024, Red Bull GmbH, the parent company of the F1 team, confirmed an independent investigation into allegations of controlling and inappropriate behavior against Horner by a female employee. The investigation was completed by the end of February, resulting in the dismissal of the grievance against Horner. However, the employee subsequently filed an appeal, which was later not upheld by Red Bull.
The news of Horner’s dismissal comes as a surprise, especially with the Formula 1 season still in its early stages. Despite having the support of Thai majority shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya, Red Bull’s underwhelming performance this year has been a critical factor in this decision. Horner’s final race in charge was the British Grand Prix, where Verstappen struggled to adapt to changing weather conditions.
As Red Bull Racing moves forward with Laurent Mekies and Alan Permane at the helm, the team faces the daunting task of regaining its competitive edge in Formula 1. The upcoming races will be pivotal in determining the team's direction and its ability to overcome the challenges that have plagued it this season.
