Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has been sacked after 20 years in charge of one of modern Formula One’s most successful teams.
English team boss Horner, 51, had been at the helm for Red Bull since 2005.
Under his leadership, the team won six constructors’ titles.
But on Wednesday, news broke that he had been dismissed following Red Bull’s dreadful performance so far this season.
It brings an end to the reign of the longest-serving team principal still on the grid.
Horner also oversaw eight drivers’ championships for Red Bull, through Sebastian Vettel and then Max Verstappen.
But his tenure was not without controversy.
Last year, Horner was accused of coercive behaviour towards a Red Bull colleague.
He was twice cleared of any wrongdoing during internal investigations.
But with Red Bull’s on-track performance at its lowest ebb in years, it seems Horner has been unable to avoid the sack.
In a statement, the team said: “Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today and has appointed Laurent Mekies as CEO (chief executive) of Red Bull Racing.”
Racing Bulls’ racing director Alan Permane, 58, has been promoted to team principal of RB.
BREAKING: Christian Horner is to exit Red Bull Racing with immediate effect#F1 pic.twitter.com/v50mwnBlV6
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 9, 2025
Why Was Christian Horner Sacked?
According to reports, the ultimate decision on sacking Christian Horner was made by Red Bull Group CEO, Iliver Mintzlaff.
Owners Chelerm Voovidhya and Mark Mateschitz, as well as leading figure Helmut Marko were informed of the decision and are believed to be in support of Horner’s dismissal.
Horner is reported to have said his goodbyes to the team at Red Bull’s Milton Keynes factory.
The former team boss has been under mounting pressure due to Red Bull’s poor performance this season.
Having lost last season’s constructors’ title to McLaren, Red Bull clung on to take the drivers’ title through Verstappen.
But despite the Dutchman’s heroics taking him to wins in Japan and Imola, the car has been miles off the pace in 2025.
And a clause in Verstappen’s contract could soon spell disaster for the team.
Although signed to Red Bull until 2028, Max has a break clause, allowing him to leave the team for free if he drops below third in the standings.
At the moment, Verstappen is third, 18 points ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell.
But he has repeatedly complained of an undriveable car. And Red Bull’s conveyor belt of failed second drivers is a damning inditement of the team’s failure to deliver a complete package.
Since Daniel Ricciardo left in 2019, numerous promising talents have had their careers damaged by that second Red Bull seat.
Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Sergio Perez, Liam Lawson and now Yuki Tsunoda have all tried and failed.
And according to reports, Verstappen may have agreed a 2026 Mercedes move already.
BREAKING: Laurent Mekies takes over CEO duties at Red Bull Racing with immediate effect#F1 pic.twitter.com/z0VfUrVvA6
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 9, 2025
Who Is Christian Horner Replacement Laurent Mekies?
Frenchman Laurent Mekies, 48, has worked in F1 for a long time.
A Loughborough University graduate, he worked his way up from Formula Three, eventually joining Minardi.
Mekies was race engineer for Mark Webber, with the team acquired by Red Bull in 2005.
He left to work as FIA safety director in 2014, and was deputy race director in 2017.
A year later, he joined Ferrari as sporting director, eventually being named deputy team principle.
Mekies then switched to RB as team principle in 2024, and has now replaced Christian Horner as Red Bull Racing CEO.
Red Bull aren’t the first team to switch principals this year, though.
In May, Alpine team boss Oliver Oakes quit after just ten months in the role.
Fans React As Christian Horner Sacked
Fans of both Red Bull and rival teams have been quick to share their opinions on Christian Horner’s sacking.
One Red Bull fan argued: “It’s a bit late, the damage to the Red Bull team has already been done.
“If they lose Max they will become a midfield team, I mean look at Max’s current and last team mate, absolutely nowhere.”
“This should have happened over a year ago,” said a second.
Another joked: “Max [Verstappen] is now the Team Principle and will be driving both cars for the remainder of the 2025 season.”
But there was sympathy for Horner as well.
Another fan simply added: “Good luck Christian Horner for the rest of your career.”
