In a surprising turn of events, Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull Racing, has been fired after an impressive 20-year tenure with the team. A spokesperson from Red Bull confirmed the news to CNN Sports on Wednesday, although no specific reasons were provided for Horner's dismissal. In their statement, Red Bull expressed gratitude towards Horner, noting that the 51-year-old will “forever remain an important part of our team history.”
Oliver Mintzlaff, the chief executive for corporate projects and investments at Red Bull, praised Horner’s contributions, stating, “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 1. Thank you for everything, Christian.”
Following Horner’s departure, Laurent Mekies, currently associated with Red Bull’s sister team Racing Bulls, will take over the role of team principal. This transition marks a significant change for Red Bull Racing, which has enjoyed remarkable success under Horner’s leadership since he took the helm when the team entered Formula 1 in 2005.
During Horner's extensive tenure, Red Bull Racing achieved tremendous milestones, including winning eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships. The team celebrated four consecutive drivers’ world titles with Sebastian Vettel from 2010 to 2013, and more recently, Max Verstappen has emerged as a dominant force, clinching the last four championships. Under Horner's management, Red Bull has also secured 124 Grand Prix victories, 107 pole positions, and 287 podium finishes, showcasing the team's prowess in the racing arena.
Despite the success, Horner’s time at Red Bull was not without controversy. In February of last year, Red Bull initiated an independent investigation following allegations of inappropriate behavior directed at a member of the racing team, whose identity remains undisclosed. Although Horner was cleared of any wrongdoing, he firmly denied the allegations and faced scrutiny after alleged leaked messages circulated within the F1 community via Google Drive. CNN has been unable to verify the authenticity of these messages, and Red Bull has deemed it “inappropriate” to comment further on the situation.
Horner's firing coincides with rampant speculation regarding Max Verstappen’s future with Red Bull Racing. Rumors suggest the Dutch driver may consider a move to Mercedes at the end of the current season, even though he is under contract with Red Bull until 2028. Verstappen has consistently refrained from discussing his future, despite Horner's earlier assertions that he believed Verstappen would remain loyal to the team.
The 2025 season has also posed challenges for Red Bull Racing on the track. Currently, Verstappen is positioned third in the drivers’ championship standings, trailing McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by 69 points, with only two Grand Prix victories thus far this season. Furthermore, Red Bull occupies fourth place in the 2025 constructors’ championship, a staggering 288 points behind McLaren, highlighting the team’s struggles in maintaining its competitive edge.
As Red Bull Racing embarks on a new chapter with Laurent Mekies at the helm, the motorsport community watches closely to see how the team will navigate these changes and challenges in the coming seasons.
