In a bombshell shake-up at the heart of Formula 1, Christian Horner has been sacked by Red Bull Racing with immediate effect, ending a two-decade reign that redefined modern F1 dominance. Horner, who took the reins in 2005 when Red Bull transformed Jaguar into a racing powerhouse, departs after leading the team to an extraordinary haul of eight Drivers’ and six Constructors’ Championships.
What To Know?
- Christian Horner has been sacked after 20 years as Red Bull F1 boss, replaced by Laurent Mekies.
- Horner led Red Bull to 8 Drivers’ and 6 Constructors’ Championships.
- His exit follows recent controversies, internal power struggles, and a performance decline in 2025.
Horner’s exit marks the end of one of the most successful chapters in motorsport and F1 History—and the start of a bold new era for Red Bull, now under the stewardship of Laurent Mekies, who has been promoted from the Racing Bulls team to CEO of Red Bull Racing.
“We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years,” said Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull’s CEO of Corporate Projects and Investments.
“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.”
Red Bull’s Road to Glory Under Horner
From scrappy upstarts in the mid-2000s to a dynasty-defining juggernaut, Horner oversaw Red Bull’s meteoric rise through two golden eras.
- Sebastian Vettel era (2010–2013): Four consecutive Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships
- Max Verstappen era (2021–2024): Four straight Drivers’ titles for Verstappen, plus Constructors’ crowns in 2022 and 2023
- Overall stats: 124 race wins, 107 pole positions, and 287 podiums
But recent months painted a more turbulent picture.
The Storm Before the Exit
Horner’s final 18 months were marked by off-track strife and on-track decline. He was investigated after a female colleague made allegations of inappropriate behaviour in early 2024—a case that was ultimately dismissed following an appeal. Horner consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, Red Bull was hit by a wave of high-profile departures: legendary designer Adrian Newey left for Aston Martin, and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley moved to Sauber. Internally, tensions grew between Horner and key Verstappen allies, including his father Jos Verstappen and Red Bull’s senior advisor Helmut Marko.
Add to that Red Bull’s crumbling performance on the track—highlighted by Verstappen’s spin and P5 finish at a rain-drenched 2025 British Grand Prix—and Horner’s position appeared increasingly untenable.
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Mekies Takes the Wheel
In steps Laurent Mekies, a respected figure with a strong pedigree in F1 and most recently the Racing Bulls team principal. He now takes the top seat at Red Bull Racing, inheriting a team in flux—but also one with the infrastructure to rebound fast.
“The last year and a half has been an absolute privilege to lead the team with Peter [Bayer, Racing Bulls CEO],” said Mekies.
“It has been an amazing adventure to contribute to the birth of Racing Bulls together with all our talented people. The spirit of the whole team is incredible, and I strongly believe that this is just the beginning.”
Mekies will be succeeded at Racing Bulls by Alan Permane, a paddock veteran who Mekies described as “the perfect man to take over now and continue our path.”
What’s Next for Red Bull?
For now, Red Bull sits fourth in the Constructors’ standings, trailing leaders McLaren by a staggering 288 points, with Ferrari and Mercedes also ahead.
2025 Post-2025 British GP Constructors’ Championship Standings
| Pos | Team | PTS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | McLaren Mercedes | 460 |
| 2 | Ferrari | 222 |
| 3 | Mercedes | 210 |
| 4 | Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT | 172 |
| 5 | Williams Mercedes | 59 |
| 6 | Kick Sauber Ferrari | 41 |
| 7 | Racing Bulls Honda RBPT | 36 |
| 8 | Aston Martin Mercedes | 36 |
| 9 | Haas Ferrari | 29 |
| 10 | Alpine Renualt | 19 |
Verstappen is currently third in the 2025 Drivers’ Championship—69 points adrift of leader Oscar Piastri—an unfamiliar position for a team so recently dominant.
2025 Post-2025 British GP Drivers’ Championship Standings
| Pos | Driver | Nationality | Car | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oscar Piastri | AUS | McLaren | 234 |
| 2 | Lando Norris | GBR | McLaren | 226 |
| 3 | Max Verstappen | NED | Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT | 165 |
| 4 | George Russell | GBR | Mercedes | 147 |
| 5 | Charles Leclerc | MON | Ferrari | 119 |
| 6 | Lewis Hamilton | GBR | Ferrari | 103 |
| 7 | Kimi Antonelli | ITA | Mercedes | 63 |
| 8 | Alexander Albon | THA | Williams Mercedes | 46 |
| 9 | Nico Hulkenberg | GER | Kick Sauber Ferrari | 37 |
| 10 | Esteban Ocon | FRA | Haas Ferrari | 23 |
| 11 | Isack Hadjar | FRA | Racing Bulls Honda RBPT | 21 |
| 12 | Lance Stroll | CAN | Aston Martin Mercedes | 20 |
| 13 | Pierre Gasly | FRA | Alpine Renualt | 19 |
| 14 | Fernando Alonso | ESP | Aston Martin Mercedes | 16 |
| 15 | Carlos Sainz | ESP | Williams Mercedes | 13 |
| 16 | Liam Lawson | NZL | Racing Bulls Honda RBPT | 12 |
| 17 | Yuki Tsunoda | JPN | Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT | 10 |
| 18 | Oliver Bearman | GBR | Haas Ferrari | 6 |
| 19 | Gabriel Bortoleto | BRA | Kick Sauber Ferrari | 4 |
| 20 | Franco Colapinto | ARG | Alpine Renualt | 0 |
| 21 | Jack Doohan | AUS | Alpine Renualt | 0 |
Whether Mekies can steady the ship and recapture the Red Bull spark remains to be seen. But what’s certain is this: Christian Horner’s departure marks not just a leadership change, but a pivotal moment in F1’s ever-evolving landscape.
One era ends. Another begins.
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