Horner sacked from Red Bull with immediate effect

Written by Meghana Sree

Christian Horner will part ways with Red Bull Racing after 20 years as the Team Principal. Laurent Mekies from Racing Bulls will take over Horner's role with immediate effect.

Credit: Formula One

The groundbreaking announcement comes hot on the heels of a tumultuous season for Red Bull, as they slip down in performance and sit behind McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes in the Constructors’ Championship.

Red Bull Managing Director Oliver Mintzlaff stated: "We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years.

"With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking, he has been instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful and attractive teams in Formula One.

"Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history."

Racing Bulls Team Principal Laurent Mekies will replace Horner as both Team Principal and CEO, while Mekies' shoes will be filled in by Alan Permane, formerly the Racing Director at the Red Bull sister team.

Despite a long string of success during his two decades with the team, including eight Drivers' titles and six Constructors' titles, Horner's exit comes during controversial times for both him and the team.

Laurent Mekies (right) takes over as Red Bull's Team Principal and CEO, while Alan Permane (left) will head Racing Bulls | Credit: Formula One

After enjoying a purple patch in 2023, winning a record 21 out of 22 Grands Prix with the RB19, Red Bull failed to carry their momentum into the latter half of 2024 as McLaren began to outperform them.

Heading into 2025, the target was to ensure the team's star driver Max Verstappen could defend the Drivers' Championship while Red Bull could fight to reclaim the Constructors' title.

However, hope for both efforts rapidly lost traction. The team's ever-lasting struggle with their second seat - Liam Lawson being replaced by Yuki Tsunoda early on - coupled with an unpredictable car that Verstappen claimed was "unbelievable" has wiped out any opportunities for a championship fight halfway into the season.

Speaking after the Austrian Grand Prix, the team's home race, Horner had conceded that they're "not even thinking about" the championships.

Horner's telling statement was made during a weekend that saw even more media frenzy around Verstappen's possible switch to rival team Mercedes, as the Dutchman's dreams of a fifth title seem unlikely to be achieved with the RB21.

Furthermore, in 2024, Horner was reported for engaging in inappropriate behavior towards a female colleague. Following an independent investigation launched by Red Bull, the allegations were cleared but are set for a court hearing in January 2026.

Amidst these damaging controversies and plummeting performance, Red Bull's managerial reshuffle indicates a loss of confidence in Horner as well as a strong effort to retain Verstappen within the team.

The Milton Keynes-based outfit has been the centre of numerous high-profile exits lately, including Adrian Newey's departure to Aston Martin, Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley's move to Sauber and Chief Designer Rob Marshall's switch to McLaren.

Horner's firing is another name to Red Bull's long list of personnel shakeups, with this one being the most evident indication of internal politics and tension faced by the team.

Currently 38 points off from third-placed Mercedes in the Constructors' Championship and with Verstappen in danger of dropping down to fourth in the Drivers' standings, Red Bull has a steep up-hill climb ahead of 2026's new regulations.