Christian Horner Sacked as Red Bull Boss after 20 Years

In a shocking turn for Formula One, Red Bull has parted ways with long-time team principal Christian Horner after two decades of remarkable success.

Horner, 51, had been with the team since its inception in 2005. Under his leadership, Red Bull secured six constructors’ championships and eight drivers’ titles, four with Sebastian Vettel and four with current star Max Verstappen.

According to UK media, Horner became emotional when he broke the news to staff at the team’s Milton Keynes base on Wednesday. His exit follows ongoing internal tensions, despite twice being cleared of allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Red Bull’s parent company.

While Red Bull remained supportive publicly, behind the scenes several key figures, including famed designer Adrian Newey and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, have since left. The team’s performance has also taken a hit, with Verstappen winning just twice in the last 14 races. The Dutchman currently trails McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by 69 points in the standings.Verstappen acknowledged Horner on social media, saying their time together produced unforgettable wins and records.

In Horner’s place, Red Bull has appointed Laurent Mekies, formerly of Ferrari and Racing Bulls, as the new CEO and team principal. Mekies called the role a great honour and promised to build on Horner’s impressive legacy.

As the team faces a bumpy mid-season, speculation is growing around Verstappen’s future, especially with Mercedes reportedly circling.