Christian Horner Dismissed as Red Bull's Formula 1 Team Principal After 20 Years

Key Takeaways

Christian Horner was dismissed as Red Bull Racing's team principal after 20 years, amid internal conflicts and a recent performance decline.
Horner faced allegations of sexual harassment and coercive behavior, though he was twice cleared by Red Bull GmBH, the team's parent company.
Laurent Mekies, promoted from Red Bull's second team, will succeed Horner as team principal, while Alan Permane takes over Racing Bulls.
Red Bull's performance has faltered recently, with only two race wins in the current season and McLaren emerging as a dominant force.
Uncertainty surrounds Max Verstappen's future with Red Bull, with potential links to Mercedes, and internal tensions involving his father, Jos Verstappen.

Christian Horner, the long-standing team principal of Red Bull Racing, has been dismissed after two decades at the helm. The 51-year-old, who has been with the Formula 1 team since its inception in 2005, was let go amid internal conflicts and a recent downturn in performance. Horner's departure comes 17 months after he faced allegations of sexual harassment and coercive behavior, though he was twice cleared of these claims by Red Bull GmBH, the team's parent company.

"Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today," the company stated on Wednesday. Horner will be succeeded by Laurent Mekies, 48, who has been promoted from his role at the second Red Bull team, Racing Bulls. Mekies, previously Ferrari's racing director, will take over as team principal and chief executive of Red Bull Racing. Meanwhile, Alan Permane, 58, has been named the new team principal of Racing Bulls, stepping up from his position as racing director.

During Horner's tenure, Red Bull achieved remarkable success, securing eight drivers' championships and six constructors' titles. Sebastian Vettel claimed four consecutive championships from 2010 to 2013, while Max Verstappen has dominated the sport with four straight titles in recent years. However, the team's performance has faltered in the past year, with only two race wins this season and McLaren emerging as the dominant force.

Red Bull's leadership praised Horner for his contributions. "We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years," said Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull's chief executive of corporate projects and investments. "His tireless commitment, experience, expertise, and innovative thinking have been instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful and attractive teams in Formula 1. Christian will forever remain an important part of our team history."

Horner's dismissal comes at a pivotal moment for Red Bull, with uncertainty surrounding the future of star driver Max Verstappen. The four-time world champion, contracted until 2028, has been linked with a potential move to Mercedes. Verstappen has reportedly been unsettled by internal tensions within the team, including a strained relationship between his father, Jos Verstappen, and Horner.

Red Bull has also seen the departure of key personnel in recent months. Adrian Newey, the acclaimed F1 designer, resigned last year, citing dissatisfaction with the team's internal dynamics. Jonathan Wheatley, the long-time sporting director, left for Sauber, while head of strategy Will Courtenay is set to join McLaren. These changes have further compounded the challenges facing Red Bull as they navigate a critical period in their Formula 1 journey.