CHRISTIAN HORNER SACKED BY RED BULL AFTER 20 YEARS AS PRINCIPAL

Red Bull has announced the departure of long-serving team principal Christian Horner, appointing Laurent Mekies as his replacement. The decision effective from Wednesday, July 9, 2025, ends Horner’s 19-year tenure with the team since their debut in Formula One in 2005. Mekies, a Frenchman, steps up from Red Bull’s sister team, Racing Bulls, to become the new CEO of Red Bull Racing. Alan Permane, currently Racing Director of Racing Bulls, will take over as team principal of that outfit. Under Horner’s leadership, Red Bull claimed 124 victories, 107 pole positions, 287 podium finishes, 8 Drivers’ World Championships, and 6 Constructors’ titles. However, the team has struggled this season and currently sits fourth in the Constructors’ standings with 172 points-288 behind leaders McLaren.

Star driver Max Verstappen, a four-time world champion, has managed only two wins from 12 races and is currently third in the Drivers’ Championship, trailing leader Oscar Piastri by 69 points at the halfway point of the 24-race season. Horner’s role came under scrutiny in recent months, particularly after misconduct allegations were made by a female employee, allegations Horner denied and was later cleared of following an internal investigation. Horner has denied reports earlier this season about Ferrari reaching out to him to replace current team principal Fred Vasseur.