Red Bull sack F1 team principal Horner after 20 years

Christian Horner has been dismissed as team principal and CEO of Red Bull Racing, ending a 20-year tenure that transformed the team into one of the most successful outfits in Formula 1 history.

The decision was confirmed on Wednesday, with Laurent Mekies - formerly of Ferrari and most recently team principal at Red Bull's junior team, Racing Bulls - announced as his successor.

Christian Horner is seen before a free practice of the Formula One British Grand Prix 2025 at the Silverstone Circuit, in Sliverstone, Britain, July 4, 2025. Christian Horner has been dismissed as team principal and CEO of Red Bull Racing, ending a 20-year tenure that transformed the team into one of the most successful outfits in Formula 1 history. (Xinhua/Wu Lu)

The sacking of Horner, 51, who had been Red Bull's only team principal since its founding in 2005, follows a turbulent period both on and off the track. The Briton had been under intense scrutiny since early 2024, when he was investigated and cleared over allegations of inappropriate conduct toward a female colleague.

Although he survived that episode, internal divisions deepened. Jos Verstappen, father of Red Bull's four-time world champion driver Max Verstappen, publicly called for Horner's resignation earlier this year, warning that his presence was "destroying the team from within."

The departures of key personnel, including legendary designer Adrian Newey, sporting director Jonathan Wheatley and strategy chief Will Courtenay, added to the sense of a team unravelling.

Under Horner's leadership, Red Bull amassed six Constructors' Championships and eight Drivers' titles, first with Sebastian Vettel from 2010 to 2013 and then with Verstappen from 2021 to 2024. In total, the team won 124 races under his direction.

But after dominating the early years of F1's hybrid era, Red Bull's performance faltered in 2024. The team finished third in that year's Constructors' standings and struggled to match the development pace of rivals McLaren and Ferrari.

The 2025 campaign has offered little respite. Verstappen has won just twice, and sits 65 points adrift of championship leader Oscar Piastri at the season's halfway stage. Compounding Red Bull's struggles has been the continued underperformance of its second drivers. Sergio Perez's form deteriorated throughout 2024, and his 2025 replacements Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda have barely troubled the top ten, leaving Verstappen to shoulder the title challenge alone.

Team executive Oliver Mintzlaff thanked Horner for his "exceptional work over the last 20 years," calling him instrumental in building Red Bull Racing into a powerhouse. However, Mintzlaff also emphasized the need for a fresh approach to leadership ahead of the 2026 regulation overhaul, which includes new engine rules and the team's transition to its own Ford-backed power unit.

The decision to promote Mekies was reportedly made weeks ago and communicated to Verstappen's camp in advance. Verstappen's manager, Raymond Vermeulen, said the world champion remained focused on performance and welcomed the new leadership if it helps stabilize the team.

Mekies, 48, brings extensive F1 experience, having held technical and operational roles at the FIA and Ferrari before joining Red Bull's sister team. He will assume control with immediate effect. Former Alpine sporting director Alan Permane replaces Mekies at Racing Bulls.

The shake-up has raised questions about Verstappen's long-term future with the team. The Dutchman is contracted at Red Bull until 2028, but is rumoured to have clauses allowing him to leave if results do not meet expectations, and has been linked with a move to Mercedes. However, Horner's departure could also increase the chances of him staying at Red Bull, given the souring of the relationship between the two.