Christian Horner, the architect of Red Bull Racing’s outstanding rise in F1, has been removed from his position as team principal and CEO with immediate effect. This ends a remarkable 20-year tenure at the legendary team. This decision was confirmed by Red Bull on 9 July 2025.
Christian Horner’s departure comes after a long period of internal conflicts and changes within the Red Bull organization. While the official statement from Red Bull did not specify the reasons behind his exit, the move is probably due to Horner’s inability to handle the team efficiently.
Red Bull’s Official Statement
“Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today and has appointed Laurent Mekies as CEO (chief executive) of Red Bull Racing,” the statement read.
Reason Not Yet Disclosed
Some sources suggest that Christian Horner had been facing allegations of inappropriate behavior since early 2024, leading to a lengthy investigation. Although he was cleared of the charges initially, this decision comes at a crucial point, linking it to the case.
Moreover, Red Bull has struggled in the 2025 season to an extent. If Max Verstappen weren’t on the team, the team would be at the bottom of the championship. Reportedly, Verstappen had requested less influence of Christian Horner on the team. Otherwise, he would leave the team amid ongoing speculations with Mercedes.
The final decision came after an emergency meeting between Red Bull’s key shareholders and senior management, who decided a change was necessary to restore the team’s position on the grid.
Who Will Replace Christian Horner?
Laurent Mekies, previously the team principal of Red Bull’s sister team Racing Bulls, has been appointed as the new CEO and Team Principal of Red Bull Racing. Now, he will face the daunting task of stabilizing the team and restoring Red Bull’s competitive edge.
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