In a move that’s caught the Formula 1 world off guard, Christian Horner has been ousted from his position as Red Bull Racing’s team principal, bringing an abrupt end to a 20-year run that helped define the team’s rise to dominance.
Red Bull GmbH confirmed the decision on Wednesday, signaling the end of an era during which the Milton Keynes-based team collected six constructors’ championships and eight drivers’ titles under Horner’s leadership.
Christian Horner was abruptly informed of his immediate dismissal after a tumultuous stretch for the team, marked by challenges both on and off the track.
He told reporters he wasn’t given any reason for the decision, a revelation that’s only added to the shock reverberating through the paddock.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1’s, he said simply, “No explanation was provided to me,” highlighting just how sudden and unexplained the move was.
Christian Horner and Red Bull’s crisis
Christian Horner’s exit didn’t come out of nowhere as it follows months of mounting tension inside Red Bull, with people close to the team pointing to a steady unraveling that’s mirrored their slump on the track this season.
Once the clear frontrunner, Red Bull has slipped to fourth in the constructors’ standings.
McLaren has stepped into the spotlight, and Max Verstappen, who dominated last year, is now sitting in third place in the drivers’ championship, an unfamiliar position for the reigning world champion.
Adding to the turbulence, two of the team’s most influential figures like legendary designer Adrian Newey and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley have also walked away.
Their departures didn’t happen in a vacuum; both came against the backdrop of long-standing internal friction, much of which has lingered since Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz passed away in 2022.
Moreover, things became critical after a controversy surrounding Horner last year, when a female colleague accused him of inappropriate behavior.
Christian Horner consistently denied the claims and was ultimately cleared by two separate investigations. Still, the episode left a mark, hanging over the team and contributing to an atmosphere that was already growing increasingly tense.
Timing raises questions
The timing of Horner’s departure has left many puzzled, especially since he seemed to be going about business as usual at the British Grand Prix just days earlier.
There were no obvious signs that anything was brewing publicly, but behind closed doors, things were clearly moving fast.
Sources say a series of closed-door conversations took place over the Austrian and British race weekends, with key figures like Max Verstappen and Red Bull executive Oliver Mintzlaff reportedly involved.
Verstappen’s long-term future with the team is believed to have been front and center in those talks.
Though he’s under contract through 2028, Verstappen has been noticeably noncommittal when asked about how long he plans to stay, especially as the internal dynamics at Red Bull continue to shift.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown didn’t mince words when he said that losing the reigning world champion would be nothing short of a disaster for the team.
Horner leaves behind an undeniable legacy. When he took the helm in 2005, he was the youngest team principal in Formula 1 history.
Over two decades, he steered Red Bull to 124 grand prix victories, earning a reputation for bold strategy and unrelenting competitiveness.
In a brief statement, Red Bull thanked Horner for what they called his “exceptional work,” saying he would always be remembered as an integral part of the team’s story.
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