After a dismal British GP for Red Bull, marking the halfway point of what has been a difficult season so far, the team has decided to sack Christian Horner. Red Bull is languishing in fourth position in the standings, 288 points behind leaders McLaren. This is in part due to the second seat only scoring seven points all season.
Horner leaves Red Bull in decline after a stunning 2023 season, where the team won all but one race. The signs were there in 2024, following a disjointed second half to the season, where Verstappen only won two races. But why was Horner sacked?
Red Bull sacks Christian Horner after twenty years at the helm
Christian Horner has been in charge of Red Bull since its debut season in 2005. Since then, he has led Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen to four world titles apiece. Red Bull has also won six constructor titles under Horner’s stewardship. However, this was not enough to save the 51-year-old’s job.
A statement from Red Bull said: “Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today.”
Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull’s chief executive of corporate projects and investments, added: “We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years.
🚨| BREAKING:
Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner leaves the team with immediate effect!#F1 https://t.co/JjYaZddHp5
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) July 9, 2025
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.”
Horner leaves the Milton Keynes-based team in need of a rebuild. Influential figures like Adrian Newey, Will Courtenay and Jonathan Wheatley all departed last season. The team also lacks pace compared to their front-running rivals and has a second seat where most drivers can’t adapt.
The dismissal also comes 17 months after Horner was accused of sexual harassment, coercive, controlling behaviour by a female employee. However, these allegations have been cleared twice.
Following the allegations, there have also been internal struggles at the team, with Max’s dad, Jos, having a tense relationship with Horner. The writing has been on the wall for Horner, who might have thought he would get a chance to rebuild the team. However, that mantle has been passed onto someone else.
Laurent Mekies replaces Christian Horner
Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies will take over from Christian Horner. Mekies worked for Ferrari in multiple guises before joining the Red Bull family. He originally joined the Scuderia as the sporting director, before being put in charge of the track and performance department. His final role in Maranello was the racing director.
🔁| A switch to the main team for Laurent Mekies!
He was previously Team Principal at Racing Bulls!#F1 https://t.co/yuPqQy6Vs9
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) July 9, 2025
The Frenchman took charge of Racing Bulls for the 2024 season and made the Red Bull sister team competitive. They finished the championship in P8 in a tightly packed midfield.
This season, Racing Bulls are sitting in P7 in the standings, but not far off from fifth-placed Williams. Those results haven’t been bad, considering the driver changes the team has had, including having two rookies currently in their lineup. Racing Bulls race director, Alan Permane, has been promoted to team principal.
