Christian Horner sacked as Red Bull F1 team boss

In a shock development, Christian Horner has been removed as CEO and team principal of the Red Bull Formula 1 team with immediate effect.

Horner, who was at the helm of the squad for its entire 20-year existence, has been replaced by Red Bull's management with Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies.

Horner appears to be paying the price for the general downturn at the squad over the past 18 months as the team languished in fourth place in the constructors’ championship halfway through the 2025 season.

Star driver Max Verstappen has been able to win two races this season, but in general the team has been on a continuous slide with its car performance since being caught by McLaren in May last year. It has since also lost key figures, including design guru Adrian Newey, designer Rob Marshall and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley. Strategy chief Will Courtenay is set to join McLaren at the end of the season.

Amid interest from Mercedes, Verstappen's future is also in doubt despite a contract until 2028, with various break clauses that could come into play at the end of this month.

From next season Red Bull is embarking on its own ambitious engine programme at Red Bull Powertrains with support from Ford, which adds further question marks over the team's long-term competitiveness.

"Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today and has appointed Laurent Mekies as CEO of Red Bull Racing," a Red Bull spokesperson confirmed to Motorsport.com. "Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO Corporate Projects and Investments thanked Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years."

"We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years," said Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO Corporate Projects and Investments.

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

Mekies is now stepping into Horner's shoes at Red Bull, with Racing Bulls racing director Alan Permane replacing him at the sister team as team principal, working together with CEO Peter Bayer.

"The last year and a half has been an absolute privilege to lead the team with Peter. It has been an amazing adventure to contribute to the birth of Racing Bulls together with all our talented people," Mekies said.

Laurent Mekies, RB F1 Team

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

"The spirit of the whole team is incredible, and I strongly believe that this is just the beginning. Alan is the perfect man to take over now and continue our path. He knows the team inside out and has always been an important pillar of our early successes.”

Alan Permane said: “I feel very honoured to take on the role as team principal and would like to thank Oliver [Mintzlaff] and Helmut [Marko] for the trust they have shown in me.

"I am looking forward to working with Peter to continue the good work that both him and Laurent have done in taking this team forward. This is a new challenge for me, but I know that I can count on the support of everyone within them.”

Under Horner's reign, Red Bull won eight drivers' championships, four apiece during dominant spells for Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel, as well as six constructors' crowns.

The 51-year-old was also the centre of controversy last year for alleged inappropriate behaviour against an employee, a case which he has since been cleared from by Red Bull's investigators. But the affair sowed further division between Horner and the Austrian side of the business, backed by Verstappen's entourage.