Christian Horner Removed as Red Bull Principal
The dismissal of Christian Horner has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 community, with many wondering what the future holds for Red Bull Racing and its star driver Max Verstappen. With Laurent Mekies set to take the reins, the team will be looking to regain its competitive edge and challenge for championships once again.
Christian Horner's nearly two-decade tenure as team principal of Red Bull Racing has come to an end, with the 51-year-old being dismissed after internal tensions and a loss of authority, despite being cleared in internal investigations following allegations of inappropriate behavior.
The decision to remove Horner was led by Red Bull Group CEO Oliver Mintzlaff, with the backing of other top executives, and comes after months of poor form and internal disputes within the team. Horner had been in charge since 2005 and led the team to eight drivers' championships, including four with star driver Max Verstappen.
The team has struggled with underperformance and growing dissatisfaction from Verstappen, who is under contract until 2028 but has been courted by Mercedes. The move is expected to lead to a major leadership transition as the team prepares for the remainder of the 2025 season, with Laurent Mekies set to replace Horner as CEO of Red Bull Racing.
An official statement from Red Bull is expected shortly, and the team will be looking to move forward and address the uncertainty surrounding the future of Verstappen, as well as the team's overall performance. The removal of Horner marks the end of an era for Red Bull Racing, and the team will be hoping that the change in leadership will bring about a turnaround in fortunes.