Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was sacked from his role with immediate effect yesterday.
Horner has been in charge of the team since it started on the F1 grid in 2005, overseeing eight individual drivers’ world titles and six team championships.
Here’s the context around his firing.
Context
Red Bull GmBH, the team’s parent company, released a statement yesterday saying it had “released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today."
Horner was accused of sexual harassment and coercive behaviour by a female employee at Red Bull in February 2024.
The 51-year-old was cleared of the claims by two separate investigations.
In the time since the allegations, two senior personnel at Red Bull have left the team: sporting director Jonathan Wheatley and legendary F1 designer Adrian Newey.
The BBC reports Newey’s decision to join Aston Martin was a direct result of the unsettling effect the allegations against Horner had on the Red Bull team.
Response
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In a speech to the Red Bull team, broadcast by Sky Sports, Horner said he will continue to be employed by the company, but “operationally the baton will be handed over.” He said that Red Bull’s decision had come as a shock.
Horner also posted a statement on Instagram, part of which read: "It's been an honour to be part of this incredible era of motorsport. I leave with immense pride in what we've achieved and also with what's in the pipeline for 2026."
Red Bull announced soon after that Horner’s replacement is French engineer Laurent Mekies. The 48-year-old has led the Racing Bulls, Red Bull’s second Formula One racing team, since 2024. He previously worked as Ferrari’s race director.
Mekies said in a statement: “It’s an honour to be part of this group of brilliant people that embody the Red Bull spirit. Together we will achieve great results, building on the incredible legacy left by Christian Horner during his two decades in charge.”
Red Bull
Red Bull’s racing results have been in decline since midway through last season.
Even though Verstappen claimed his fourth consecutive world title, he only won two races in the second half of the year.
This season, the Dutch driver has only won two races, and the team is fourth in the constructors' championship.
Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull through to the end of 2028, but reports in the lead-up to last weekend’s British GP suggested he is being courted by Mercedes to join them next season.
