Christian Horner sacked by Red Bull with immediate effect

After months and months of speculation about his Red Bull future, Christian Horner has been fired amidst rumours Red Bull could lose Max Verstappen to Mercedes given their position in the championships.

Despite leading Red Bull to eight Drivers’ Championship titles, there have been rumours about Horner for the last 18 months.

Christian Horner has been axed by Red Bull

Horner joined Red Bull in 2005, becoming the sport’s youngest team principal at the team.

He led the team to four successive championship doubles titles as Sebastian Vettel won from 2010 to 2013, the team also winning the teams’ trophy.

After a disappointing run as Honda’s engine failed to match its Mercedes counterpart in the new V6 era, the team returned to the top step of the podium in 2021 when Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton in a wheel-to-wheel tussle for the crown.

He went on to win four on the trot, but even in 2024, when he won his most recent title, Red Bull’s sharp edge has been blunted – on and off the track.

Blighted by off-track issues as Horner was accused of inappropriate behaviour towards a staff member, but cleared of wrongdoing in an internal investigation, the team principal’s difficulties had only just begun.

It coincided with the team’s fall from P1 to P3 in the Constructors’ Championship, Red Bull not only losing the teams’ trophy but also star designer Adrian Newey and stalwart Jonathan Wheatley.

It was said, most notably by Jos and rival team bosses, to be the beginning of the end.

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This season they’ve fallen even further, down to P4 leading to rumours that Verstappen could walk away from Red Bull to join Mercedes unless, according to Auto Motor und Sport, Horner leave.

The team principal’s end, despite Horner re-signing with Red Bull though to the end of F1 2030, arrived on Wednesday morning.

“We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years. 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,” said Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO Corporate Projects and Investments.”

Horner will be replaced by Racing Bulls team boss Laurent Mekies, who joined the Red Bull organisation after leaving Ferrari.

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