Just days after a lackluster performance at the British Grand Prix, Red Bull Racing has made one of its most dramatic shakeups in recent memory.
Christian Horner, the man who led the team for two decades, has officially been removed as team principal—ending an era that saw Red Bull rise from a scrappy underdog to one of Formula One’s most dominant forces.
But Horner wasn’t the only one shown the door.
Allies Shown the Exit Too
According to reports, several of Horner’s closest allies within the team were also dismissed in what appears to be a major internal overhaul.
These individuals weren’t just colleagues—they were insiders, many of whom had been handpicked by Horner himself during his 20-year reign. Their close ties to him may have ultimately worked against them.
A source quoted by The Sun reportedly described those relationships as a “double-edged sword,” implying that loyalty to Horner may have made them expendable in the eyes of the parent company, Red Bull GmbH.
Horner’s Rocky Final Chapter
This departure didn’t come out of nowhere.
Horner has been in a tough spot since early 2024, when a female employee accused him of sexual harassment and controlling behavior.
Though he was cleared twice—once by an internal investigation and again after an appeal—the situation cast a long shadow over his leadership.
To make matters worse, a leaked WhatsApp file containing alleged messages from Horner was sent to nearly 200 prominent figures in F1, including team bosses, media, and Red Bull’s U.S. owners, Liberty Media.
Despite the storm, his wife, Geri Halliwell (a.k.a. Ginger Spice), stood firmly by his side.
A New Chapter Under Laurent Mekies
Stepping into Horner’s shoes is Laurent Mekies, a seasoned figure in motorsport with 24 years under his belt, including stints at Minardi, Ferrari, and Red Bull’s sister team, Racing Bulls.
Described as a quieter and more reserved personality, Mekies now has just two weeks to prepare for his debut as team principal at the Belgian Grand Prix.
This transition appears to be more than a personnel change—it’s the beginning of a new vision for Red Bull Racing.
With Mekies aiming to build his own team, the recent dismissals may be his opportunity to reshape the internal structure and move on from Horner’s legacy.
Horner’s Emotional Goodbye
Despite the surprise sacking, Horner addressed staff at the team’s Milton Keynes headquarters with a heartfelt farewell.
He confirmed that he’ll no longer have an operational role within the company but will remain employed by Red Bull in some capacity.
“It obviously came as a shock,” Horner admitted.
“But I’ve had some time to reflect and I just want to express my gratitude to every single member of the team.
When I joined over 20 years ago, we were working out of two run-down buildings. We had no idea what we would become.”
With a touch of nostalgia, he added, “Watching this team grow into a Formula One powerhouse has been the biggest privilege of my life.”
Verstappen Shares a Brief Tribute
Max Verstappen, the team’s current star and four-time world champion, shared a short but meaningful message to his former boss:
“From my first race win to four world championships, we’ve shared incredible successes—thank you for everything, Christian.”
His words come despite long-standing tensions between Horner and Max’s father, Jos Verstappen, who has publicly clashed with the former team boss.
Red Bull’s Future Hangs in the Balance
The current season has been far from smooth for Red Bull.
After a string of poor finishes—including Verstappen placing fifth and teammate Yuki Tsunoda coming in last at Silverstone—the team now sits fourth in the Constructors’ standings, trailing leaders McLaren by a staggering 288 points.
Still, Red Bull Group CEO Oliver Mintzlaff had words of praise for Horner:
“We thank Christian for his exceptional work.
His commitment and expertise were key in making Red Bull Racing one of the most successful and admired teams in F1.”
What Comes Next?
As the dust settles, the big question is what Red Bull looks like without Christian Horner at the helm.
Can Mekies lead a revival? Will Verstappen remain loyal to the team amid growing uncertainty? And how long will Horner stay on the payroll without having a say in operations?
The next few weeks—leading up to the Belgian Grand Prix—will be crucial.
One thing’s clear: a major chapter in F1 history has just closed, and the next one is already being written.