By Alan Baldwin
LONDON, July 9 (Reuters)
Red Bull sacked Christian Horner, Formula One’s longest-serving active team principal and one of the most successful of all time, and replaced him on Wednesday with Racing Bulls’ Laurent Mekies. Horner, 51, had been in position since Red Bull took over the Jaguar team and entered as a constructor in 2005. Frenchman Mekies hands over at the Italy-based Racing Bulls sister team to Alan Permane, who was previously the racing director. “Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today (Wednesday 9 July 2025) and has appointed Laurent Mekies as CEO of Red Bull Racing,” Red Bull said in a statement.
The Red Bull Formula 1 team has parted ways with Christian Horner
“We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years,” said Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull’s CEO of 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 One.
“Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history.”
Red Bull Racing later confirmed Mekies would look after all Formula One operational duties as principal of the Milton Keynes-based team. Horner, whose contract had been due to run until 2030, addressed the team and told them leading the team had been the biggest privilege of his life. Sky Sports television commentator Martin Brundle, a former F1 racer, reported Horner told him “no reason was given” for being replaced.
Poor performances have led Red Bull to make a change
Red Bull won eight Drivers’ World Championships — four with Sebastian Vettel and four with Max Verstappen — and six Constructors’ titles under Horner. They have struggled this season with the team sitting fourth on 172 points in the constructors’ standings and trailing champions and leaders McLaren by 288. Red Bull’s four-time Formula One champion Max Verstappen has won two of 12 races and is third in the drivers’ championship, with speculation rife about a move elsewhere.
The Dutch driver reacted to the news on Instagram with a picture of him embracing Horner. “From my first race win to four world championships, we have shared incredible successes,” he said.
“Winning memorable races and breaking countless records. Thank you for everything, Christian.” Alpine’s Flavio Briatore, whose team have run through a long list of principals in recent years, also posted a message of support and wished him the best with his “next adventure”. The competition is wishing him well ahead of their own ambitions for the future, following a difficult season for several teams.
“Twenty years at the top says it all,” said the Italian. “A competitor on the track but also a friend off track.” Verstappen’s father, Jos, was much less of a fan and called last year for Horner to go after allegations of misconduct were made by a female employee. The Briton denied them and was cleared after an investigation. “It is not completely out of the blue, given the problems in the team,” Brundle said.
Can Red Bull Racing make a return to the top of the F1 world
The dismissal of Horner sets the stage for Red Bull to reinvent the team, something that many few is necessary if they are to make a return to the top of the sport. Red Bull has found incredible success in the Formula 1 world in recent years, but has seen their performances slip against the likes of Piastri and McLaren. Christian Horner brought amazing results to the team and served the racing world as one of the best F1 bosses in history. Can the iconic Formula 1 team make a triumphant return to the top of the sport ahead of an exciting 2026 season that promises to deliver lap after lap of amazing racing?
