Erich Schlegel-Imagn Images
After 20 years, eight Formula 1 drivers’ titles, and six constructors’ titles, Red Bull Racing fired its team principal Christian Horner on Wednesday in a move that stunned many in the F1 community. Making the announcement even more jarring is the fact that the racing team did not give a reason for Horner’s dismissal and that it came in the middle of the season.
“After 20 years with the Team, Christian Horner departs Oracle Red Bull Racing as Team Principal and CEO,” the team wrote in an announcement on social media. “We thank him for his tireless and exceptional work. He has been instrumental in building this Team into one of the most successful in F1, with eight Drivers’ Championships and six Constructors’ Championships. Thank you for everything Christian, you will forever remain an important part of our team’s history.”
Laurent Mekies of Red Bull Racing’s sister team Racing Bulls will replace Horner as CEO.
From good to great then gone
Under Christian Horner, Sebastian Vettel won four straight Formula 1 drivers’ championships, as did Max Verstappen. From 2021 to 2023, Verstappen and Horner won 44 of 66 races, including 19 of 22 in 2023.
Thus far this year, Verstappen sits third in the drivers’ championship behind McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Red Bull Racing’s second driver, Yuki Tsunoda, is 17th in the standings after the team fired driver Sergio Perez in 2024. Red Bull Racing is fourth in the constructors’ championship chase.
Christian Horner, who is married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, was the subject of a very public and controversial investigation into allegations of misconduct with a female employee. Max Verstappen’s father Jos has also been very vocal in his criticism of Horner and the way he ran the team.
F1 community has mixed feelings
Reactions among Formula 1 fans and media to the firing of Christian Horner on Wednesday were a broad mix of surprise and jubilation, but mostly disappointment.
“You’ll regret this,” one fan warned Red Bull Racing. “You allowed a driver’s parent to run off the most successful principal the sport has ever known. Then Jos will have Max leave for Mercedes.”
“Firing the most successful team principal is a crime,” read another comment.
“Christian Horner departure was too abrupt,” another fan wrote. “This is someone who devoted 20 years of his life to help transform Red Bull Racing into a winning car. I think his departure should’ve been handled a little bit better.”
“When his ego took over and he thought he could do it without guys like Newey and Wheatley this became inevitable,” suggested another F1 fan. “Respect for what Christian has done but he also let this team become the shell of its former self it is now, change was needed, especially to keep Max from leaving.”