Red Bull Racing has dismissed Christian Horner from his role as team principal with immediate effect, ending the Briton’s two-decade tenure at the helm of the Formula One powerhouse.
The Milton Keynes-based team announced Wednesday that Laurent Mekies, currently heading Red Bull’s sister team Racing Bulls, will take over as CEO of Red Bull Racing. The shock decision comes amid a dramatic slump in form that has seen the team fall to fourth in the constructors’ championship.
“Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today,” the team stated. Alan Permane, Racing Bulls’ racing director, has been promoted to team principal of the Faenza-based outfit following Mekies’ elevation.
End of an Era
Horner’s departure marks the conclusion of one of Formula One’s most successful partnerships. Since taking charge in 2005 at age 31, he led Red Bull to eight drivers’ championships and six constructors’ titles, establishing the energy drink company’s racing division as a dominant force in the sport.
We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years,” said Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull Group managing director. 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.”
The 51-year-old oversaw championship glory through two distinct eras – Sebastian Vettel’s four consecutive titles from 2010 to 2013, and Max Verstappen’s current reign that began in 2021. His final race in charge was Sunday’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone, where Verstappen could only manage fifth place.
Team in Crisis
Red Bull’s 2025 season has proved catastrophic compared to recent dominance. Verstappen has won just two of 12 races, trailing championship leader Oscar Piastri by 69 points at the season’s halfway mark. The team languishes 288 points behind leaders McLaren in the constructors’ standings.
The dismissal follows an exodus of key personnel over the past 18 months. Legendary designer Adrian Newey departed for Aston Martin, while sporting director Jonathan Wheatley joined Sauber. These losses have coincided with a dramatic performance decline that has left the four-time defending champions struggling for podium finishes.
Horner reportedly bid farewell to staff at Red Bull’s Milton Keynes factory on Wednesday morning. German publication BILD reported that negotiations over his contract termination were ongoing, with the decision ultimately made by Mintzlaff.
Shadow of Scandal
The sacking comes approximately one year after Horner survived allegations of inappropriate behaviour toward a female employee. The controversy involved alleged inappropriate text messages, though Horner was twice exonerated following investigations by external lawyers commissioned by Red Bull GmbH.
All stages of the appeal process have now been concluded, with the final outcome that the appeal is not upheld,” Red Bull stated at the time. The female employee who made the allegations was subsequently suspended, while Horner maintained his innocence throughout.
Despite weathering that storm with support from Red Bull’s Thai majority owners, recent poor performances appear to have exhausted their patience. Verstappen’s father Jos had publicly called for Horner’s removal during the scandal, warning the team risked being “ripped apart.
New Leadership
Laurent Mekies brings extensive Formula One experience to his new role. The 48-year-old Frenchman previously served as Ferrari’s sporting director and deputy team principal before taking charge of Racing Bulls in 2024.
Laurent has demonstrated exceptional leadership at Racing Bulls,” a team source stated. His career spans roles at Arrows, Minardi, and Toro Rosso, plus a stint as FIA safety director where he helped introduce the Halo device.
Mekies inherits a team facing its greatest challenge since the early hybrid era. With Verstappen reportedly considering his future amid the team’s struggles, stabilising both performance and morale will prove crucial tasks for the new leadership.
Immediate Challenges
The French engineer faces several pressing issues as he assumes control. Red Bull’s development direction has clearly faltered, with rivals McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes all overtaking them in the pecking order.
“The team hasn’t been the same since 2024,” noted one paddock insider. Budget cap constraints have limited Red Bull’s ability to outspend problems, while technical regulations have allowed competitors to close the performance gap.
Mekies will lead Red Bull for the first time at the Belgian Grand Prix on July 27, following Formula One’s three-week summer break. His immediate priority will be reversing the team’s slide while retaining Verstappen, whose contract runs through 2028 but contains performance-related exit clauses.
Legacy Secured
Despite the unceremonious exit, Horner’s legacy in Formula One remains secure. As the longest-serving team principal on the current grid, he transformed Red Bull from ambitious newcomers into serial champions.
“Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history,” Mintzlaff concluded. The former racer turned team boss leaves having won more championships than any active team principal.
His departure signals the end of an era for Red Bull Racing, which must now prove it can maintain success without the man who guided them from their 2005 inception to the sport’s summit.
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Image Credit:
Dermot Boden and Christian Horner at LG event – Image by LG Electronics, licensed under CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
