Red Bull Ousts Christian Horner After Two Decades, Ending Era of 14 F1 Titles

Red Bull Racing announced the immediate departure of Christian Horner as Team Principal and CEO on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, concluding his 20-year tenure at the helm of the Formula 1 team. The decision, which sent shockwaves through the motorsport world, was confirmed by Red Bull GmbH, the parent company, though no official reason for the firing was provided. Laurent Mekies, formerly the Team Principal of Red Bull's sister team, Racing Bulls, has been appointed as Horner's successor.

Horner, 51, was instrumental in transforming Red Bull from a new entrant in 2005 into a dominant force in Formula 1. Under his leadership, the team secured an impressive 14 world titles, comprising eight Drivers' Championships (four with Sebastian Vettel and four with Max Verstappen) and six Constructors' Championships. The Wall Street Journal noted in a tweet, "Red Bull fired principal Christian Horner, who built the Formula One team into a dominant force over 20 years and became one of the sport’s most recognizable figures."

While Red Bull offered no specific explanation, the decision follows a period of significant internal tension and a dip in the team's on-track performance in the 2025 season. Red Bull currently sits fourth in the Constructors' standings, a stark contrast to their previous dominance, with Max Verstappen third in the Drivers' Championship. This comes after high-profile departures of key personnel, including legendary designer Adrian Newey, and persistent rumors of strained relationships within the team's leadership and with Max Verstappen's father, Jos Verstappen.

Horner's final months were also overshadowed by allegations of inappropriate behavior made by a female employee in early 2024. Although an internal investigation cleared him, and an appeal was dismissed in August 2024, the controversy reportedly contributed to ongoing instability within the organization. Horner expressed his sentiments on social media, stating, "After an incredible journey of 20 years together, it is with a heavy heart that today I say goodbye to the team I have absolutely loved."

Laurent Mekies steps into the leadership role at a critical juncture for Red Bull Racing. His promotion from Racing Bulls, where Alan Permane will now take over as Team Principal, aims to stabilize the team. The change also raises questions about the future of reigning world champion Max Verstappen, whose contract includes performance-related exit clauses, though some analysts suggest Horner's departure might ironically increase Verstappen's likelihood of remaining with the team.