Red Bull F1 boss Christian Horner has spoken of leaving the team with a “heavy heart”, having been sacked after two decades in his role
Horner, who had led the team since it was formed in 2005, has been replaced by Laurent Mekies, who was previously in charge of Red Bull’s junior team, Racing Bulls.
The news comes almost 18 months after Horner was engulfed in a work conduct scandal over allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a female employee. That was dismissed following a Red Bull-commissioned investigation, but since then several key figures have left and the team is struggling for form, amid suggestions that its unsettled world champion Max Verstappen is looking to leave.
Horner was told of the decision by parent company Red Bull GmbH on Tuesday, and was allowed to announce his departure to staff at the Milton Keynes factory before leaving for perhaps the final time.
Before breaking down in tears, he suggested that his terms of departure were still to be agreed, telling team members that he would still be employed by the company but no longer “operationally involved” with the business or the team.
“After an incredible journey of twenty years together, it is with a heavy heart that today I say goodbye to the team I have absolutely loved,” Horner wrote in a social media post published later that day.
“Every one of you, the amazing people at the factory, have been the heart and soul of everything that we have achieved. Win and lose, every step of the way, we have stood by each other as one and I will never forget that. It’s been a privilege being part of and leading this epic team and I am so proud of our collective accomplishments and you all.”
The post also included a rundown of the team’s achievements since Horner was appointed to build it up from the remnants of the Jaguar team. They include six constructors’ world championship, eight drivers’ world championships and 124 race victories.”
Horner’s role brought him to global prominence, fuelled by his marriage to former Spice Girl Geri Horner, as well as by his outspoken, unguarded and often brash comments in interviews, which gained an even greater audience through Drive to Survive. Though he regularly attacked rivals, he also credited them in his leaving message.
“Thank you to our rivals, with whom there would be no racing at all,” he added. “You’ve pushed us, challenged us, and enabled us to achieve accolades we never dreamed possible. The competition has made every victory sweeter and every setback an opportunity to develop and grow.
“Formula 1 is a sport built on relentless ambition, passion, and respect. The rivalries have been fierce, but the mutual drive to innovate and raise the bar is what has made this journey so special.
It’s been an honour to be part of this incredible era of motorsport. I leave with immense pride in what we’ve achieved and also with what’s in the pipeline for 2026 — and huge respect for everyone who’s made F1 the pinnacle it is today. Thank you.”
Red Bull paid tribute to Horner’s work in a short statement from Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull GmbH managing director. “We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years,” he said. “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, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history.”
Horner’s success came with the backing of Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz, who died in 2022, leaving his share of the company to his son, Mark. That is understood to have led to tensions over who held power within the team, and then came last year’s controversy. Horner’s relationship with Verstappen’s management team and Red Bull’s young driver guru Helmut Marko became strained.
The squad’s tech chief Adrian Newey, the most successful designer in F1 history, and team manager Jonathan Wheatley, both left in the wake of the allegations in 2024.
Since then the team’s form has collapsed, with Verstappen battling an uncompliant car and his two most recent team-mates, Sergio Perez and Yuki Tsunoda, unable to consistently perform.
In a message posted on social media, Verstappen expressed his gratitude for Horner’s work.. “From my first race win, to four world championships, we have shared incredible successes,” Verstappen wrote. “Winning memorable races and breaking countless records. Thank you for everything, Christian!”
Christian Horner’s work-place misconduct controversy
In February 2024, news emerged that Horner was being investigated by Red Bull after allegations of inappropriate behaviour from a female colleague.
The complaint was examined by an external lawyer, with the allegations eventually being dismissed weeks later.
