‘The decision came as a shock’: Christian Horner’s shock exit marks end of an era at Red Bull
On Wednesday, July 9, Red Bull announced the immediate dismissal of CEO and team principal Christian Horner.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo breaks down the sudden departure, its implications, and Horner’s emotional farewell.
Emotional farewell marks the end of Formula 1’s longest-serving team principal’s reign
Christian Horner’s time as Red Bull Racing’s team principal came to an emotional and unexpected end after two decades in charge.
The 51-year-old delivered a heartfelt farewell speech at the team’s Milton Keynes headquarters, addressing over 1,500 staff both in person and via video call, where he admitted the decision “came as a shock.”
‘I didn’t see it coming’
Horner shared that he was informed of the decision the previous day, calling it unexpected and difficult to process.
“I’ve had a chance to reflect over the last 12 hours and I wanted to stand in front of all of you to express my gratitude,” he said.
Overcome with emotion, he paused as applause broke out in the room.
He looked back on his 20-year journey with pride: “When I arrived, with a few less grey hairs, I didn’t know what to expect. But I was welcomed immediately and we started building what became a powerhouse in Formula 1.”
He called leading Red Bull “the greatest privilege of my life.
While no longer involved in operations, Horner remains under contract and is expected to serve out a period of gardening leave until the end of 2025.
New leadership announced
Shortly after his address, Red Bull GmbH formally announced that Racing Bull’s team principal, Laurent Mekies, would replace Horner as CEO of Red Bull Racing.
Red Bull Group CEO Oliver Mintzlaff praised Horner for “his exceptional work over the last 20 years.”
Championing Red Bull’s rise
Horner’s tenure was defined by historic success.
He led Red Bull through two dominant eras - first with Sebastian Vettel, who won four Consecutive drivers’ titles from 2010 to 2013, and later with Max Verstappen, who secured four more from 2021 to 2024.
Red Bull also claimed eight constructors' titles, including back-to-back wins in 2022 and 2023.
Even with the team facing challenges in 2024 and slipping in the standings, Horner’s legacy as one of the most successful and respected team principals in F1 remains intact.
Behind-the-scenes struggles
Although Red Bull did not publicly provide a reason for Horner’s dismissal, several developments hint at deeper tensions.
A reported argument between Horner and Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, took place just days before the announcement at the British Grand Prix.
Jos has been openly critical of Horner in recent years and had previously questioned his leadership.
A shift in Red Bull’s ownership structure may have also played a role. Documents filed in Austria revealed that Chalerm Yoovidhya - Horner’s key ally in the Thai ownership bloc - had his unique two percent stake removed.
This change may have weakened support for Horner inside Red Bull’s parent company, which has historically balanced power between Austrian and Thai stakeholders.
Horner also navigated a turbulent period in early 2024 after being cleared of sexual harassment following an internal investigation.
The fallout reportedly contributed to the departures of several top team figures, including technical mastermind Adrian Newey.
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Leaving with grace
In a follow-up message on social media, Horner thanked the Red Bull staff and paid tribute to his rivals.
“The competition has made every victory sweeter. The rivalries have been fierce, but the mutual ambition to raise the bar is what made this journey so special,” he wrote.
He also voiced support for the team’s next chapter, especially with Red Bull developing its own power unit ahead of new engine regulations in 2026.
“What lies ahead with Powertrains is truly exciting. I’ll be sad not to see that part of the story unfold.”
A respected figure says goodbye
Christian Horner leaves the sport as one of its most accomplished leaders. He guided Red Bull from its debut in 2005 to the very top of F1 and helped shape two dynasties along the way.
“I have fought hard. I’ve done my best. And now it comes to a close,” Horner said in his final address.
“I leave with immense pride in what we’ve achieved.”
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