By Nicole Powell
Just days after the 2025 British Grand Prix, Red Bull Racing have announced the sacking of team principal Christian Horner with immediate effect.
Horner had been in charge of Red Bull since its inception in 2005, leading them to eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ titles.
However, in an official statement on Wednesday, the Austrian outfit confirmed its decision to part ways with the Brit: “Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today.”
Horner sacking comes as no surprise
There have been reports of internal disputes at Red Bull since sexual harassment allegations against Horner came to light in early 2024, and this has only gotten worse with a downturn in on-track performance.
Notably, Red Bull lost the constructors’ title to McLaren last year – even being leapfrogged by Ferrari in the process – and have shown no promise of redemption this season, winning only two races in Japan and Italy.
While Verstappen has managed to perform well on some occasions this year, he has expressed ongoing dissatisfaction with the car.
The team’s decision to replace Sergio Pérez first with Liam Lawson and then Yuki Tsunoda has also made it clear that the team’s issues lie not in the driver line-up but in the machinery – something Red Bull must address before the front-runners pull too far ahead.
Ultimately, with rumours swirling around the paddock and media hinting at a possible switch to Mercedes for star driver Max Verstappen, the Milton Keynes–based team was close to breaking point and had to act.
Horner will now be replaced by Frenchman Laurent Mekies, the team principal of Racing Bulls, who has by all accounts had a steadier 2025 season.
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