Red Bull Fires F1 Boss Horner Amid Performance Slump/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Christian Horner has been abruptly fired as Red Bull’s F1 team principal after 20 title-filled years. His departure leaves uncertainty as Red Bull faces leadership changes and a looming rule overhaul. Laurent Mekies steps in as CEO amid Red Bull’s shifting F1 landscape.
Christian Horner Departure Quick Looks
- Christian Horner led Red Bull F1 for 20 years.
- Oversaw eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships.
- Departed suddenly, with no public reason given.
- Replaced by Laurent Mekies from Racing Bulls.
- Red Bull’s performance has slipped behind McLaren in 2025.
- Horner’s celebrity status fueled by Drive To Survive.
- Major Red Bull figures like Adrian Newey also left recently.
- Red Bull preparing in-house engines with Ford for 2026 rules.
- Horner’s departure comes amid Verstappen’s uncertain future.
- Previous misconduct investigation dismissed by Red Bull.
Deep Look
Christian Horner Fired By Red Bull, Ending Two Decades Of F1 Dominance
Red Bull Racing has parted ways with its longtime Formula 1 team principal, Christian Horner, bringing a stunning close to a 20-year era that saw the team transform from midfield newcomer to championship powerhouse.
In a statement released Wednesday, Red Bull confirmed Horner’s dismissal but offered no explanation for the abrupt decision. “Christian will forever remain an important part of our team history,” the team wrote, thanking him for “exceptional work over the last 20 years.”
Horner, 51, has been the public face of Red Bull Racing since its debut as a full constructor in 2005. Under his leadership, the team captured eight drivers’ championships — four each with Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen — and six constructors’ titles, solidifying Red Bull’s place among Formula 1’s elite.
But the timing of Horner’s exit adds intrigue. Red Bull has suffered a performance dip this season, with McLaren emerging as the dominant force. Despite Verstappen still sitting third in the standings, Red Bull trails fourth in the constructors’ championship.
Celebrity Status and Team Turmoil
Horner was not merely a team principal but a pop-culture figure. Married to Geri Halliwell, better known as Ginger Spice from the Spice Girls, Horner became a star of Netflix’s Drive To Survive, where his rivalry with Mercedes’ Toto Wolff became must-see TV.
Yet Red Bull’s internal stability has been shaken since the 2022 passing of founder Dietrich Mateschitz. Engineering legend Adrian Newey left for Aston Martin, while sporting director Jonathan Wheatley exited for Sauber (soon to be Audi). Meanwhile, Verstappen’s long-term future remains uncertain, with McLaren’s boss Zak Brown warning last week that losing Verstappen would be a “disaster.”
Horner himself had continued performing media duties as normal during last week’s British Grand Prix. Just days before his dismissal, he signaled confidence about staying in charge long-term, saying Red Bull possessed “a very strong structure” with “no need to change or tune it.”
A Cloud of Controversy
Horner’s tenure was not without controversy. Over a year ago, he faced allegations of misconduct toward a team employee. Both an initial investigation and a subsequent appeal cleared him of any wrongdoing, and he remained in his role throughout the entire process.
Still, the timing of his departure inevitably reignites questions about the team’s internal dynamics.
A New Chapter for Red Bull
Red Bull quickly announced Laurent Mekies, formerly of sister team Racing Bulls, as the new CEO. Mekies inherits a squad undergoing significant changes, including the massive undertaking of building in-house engines with Ford for F1’s sweeping 2026 regulations.
Meanwhile, Racing Bulls promoted Alan Permane to team principal, with Mekies praising him as “the perfect man” to continue the team’s momentum.
Horner, a former driver whose own racing career stalled below F1, joined Red Bull at just 32 years old, becoming the youngest team boss on the grid. For two decades, he shaped Red Bull into one of Formula 1’s most formidable outfits — both on the track and in the spotlight.
Whether Red Bull can maintain its competitive edge without Horner’s leadership remains to be seen as the sport braces for dramatic technical shifts next season.
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