The reign of Christian Horner at Oracle Red Bull Racing has come to an end. After two decades at the helm of the most dominant team in modern Formula 1, the Briton was dismissed “with immediate effect” as CEO and Team Principal, as confirmed by the Austrian team this Wednesday through an official statement.
The announcement marks a turning point in the structure of Red Bull, which has faced deep internal crisis over the past year. Between the departure of key figures like Adrian Newey, declining on-track performance, and controversies surrounding Horner himself, the energy team now enters a new era under the leadership of Laurent Mekies.
Why is Christian Horner leaving?
Christian Horner, 51, had earned eight drivers’ championships and six constructors’ titles during his tenure, thanks to the Sebastian Vettel (2010–2013) and Max Verstappen (2021–2024) eras. However, his image began to erode after being accused of inappropriate conduct by a female employee in 2024—a case that was dismissed but left internal fractures.
Tensions with Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, and a dip in the team’s performance only added fuel to the fire: Red Bull has won only one of the last nine races and no longer dominates the grid as it once did.
Oracle Red Bull Racing turns the page
The new team principal will be Laurent Mekies, previously head of Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, who expressed gratitude for the opportunity, highlighting “the incredible talent and team spirit” driving the project. Meanwhile, Alan Permane will take over the sister team.
From the headquarters in Milton Keynes, Red Bull’s CEO Oliver Mintzlaff thanked Horner for his legacy:
“He was instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful and exciting teams in F1.”
What’s next?
The leadership change will take place ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix (July 25–27), where Red Bull will compete for the first time without Christian Horner at the helm since its founding. In the short term, the top priority will be to restore internal structure and prepare for the major regulation changes coming in 2026.
What’s at stake is not just the future of the team, but its reputation, internal stability, and the continued presence of its star driver: Max Verstappen.
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