Christian Horner has officially been removed from his role as Red Bull Racing’s team principal and CEO after nearly two decades. The decision was announced on Wednesday by Red Bull GmbH, marking the end of a historic era for the Formula One team.
Christian Horner had led Red Bull Racing since its founding in 2005. Under his leadership, the team secured eight drivers’ championships and six constructors’ titles. Most recently, Max Verstappen won four consecutive titles, following in the footsteps of Sebastian Vettel’s dominant run from 2010 to 2013.
Horner’s dismissal comes 17 months after being accused of inappropriate behavior by a female employee. Although he was cleared twice by Red Bull GmbH, internal unrest continued to grow. Several key staff members left the team, and performance on the track started to decline sharply.
In an official statement, Red Bull confirmed that Christian Horner has been “released from his operational duties” effective immediately. Laurent Mekies, former Racing Bulls executive and ex-Ferrari racing director, has been appointed as the new CEO of Red Bull Racing.
Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO of corporate projects and investments, thanked Horner for his “exceptional work,” noting that his innovative leadership made Red Bull one of the top teams in Formula One history.
Horner’s departure adds uncertainty to the team’s future. Max Verstappen, though still one of the grid’s biggest stars, has only two wins this season. He is currently 69 points behind leader Oscar Piastri and showed visible frustration at the recent British Grand Prix.
The exit of other senior figures like Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley further reflects the team’s ongoing instability. Verstappen’s father, Jos, had previously warned that the team risked being “torn apart” if Christian Horner stayed in charge.
With Mekies stepping in, Red Bull enters a new chapter, hoping to reclaim its dominance on the track.
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