Laurent Mekies to take over as Red Bull Racing CEO; internal tensions cited behind abrupt exit
Red Bull Racing has parted ways with Christian Horner, ending his two-decade tenure as team principal with immediate effect. The shock move was confirmed on Wednesday morning by Red Bull GmbH, the parent company of the Formula 1 team.
Christian Horner sacked by Red Bull
Horner, 51, had been at the forefront of Red Bull Racing since its inception in 2005, overseeing a remarkable era of dominance in the sport. He will be succeeded by Laurent Mekies, who has served as principal at Red Bull’s sister outfit, Racing Bulls.
A statement released by the company said: “Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today [Wednesday 9 July 2025] and has appointed Laurent Mekies as CEO of Red Bull Racing.
Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO Corporate Projects and Investments, thanked Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years.”
“We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years. With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking, he has been instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful and attractive teams in Formula 1.
Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history,” said Mintzlaff.
The news broke internally at 10am, catching much of the Red Bull staff – and the wider F1 paddock – off guard. Horner had attended last weekend’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone as usual, with no public indication that a leadership change was imminent.
Though Horner was cleared following an internal investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour made by an employee, it is believed his position had been weakened during the process.
Tensions reportedly flared between him and Red Bull GmbH, with Jos Verstappen – father of reigning world champion Max Verstappen – publicly expressing dissatisfaction with Horner’s continued presence. Despite seemingly surviving that period, the atmosphere behind the scenes was said to be strained.
Why Was Christian Horner Sacked?
Christian Horner’s departure from Red Bull Racing marks one of the most dramatic leadership changes in recent Formula 1 history.
Despite steering the team to multiple world championships, his position had reportedly become untenable due to internal conflicts and off-track controversies.
This abrupt decision raises serious questions about stability within one of F1’s top teams—and what it means for Red Bull’s future on the grid.
A Storied Legacy of Success
Horner leaves behind an enviable legacy. Under his leadership, Red Bull Racing claimed:
- 8 Drivers’ Championships
- 6 Constructors’ Championships
- Over a decade of consistent competitiveness
The team’s first title came in 2010, with Sebastian Vettel spearheading four back-to-back drivers’ crowns. After Mercedes’ spell of dominance, Red Bull resurged. In 2023, they triumphed in 21 of the 22 races, with Max Verstappen setting a record with 10 consecutive victories.
However, 2025 hasn’t been kind. Verstappen trails Oscar Piastri by 69 points at the halfway point of the season and appears out of title contention. His fifth-place finish at Silverstone now marks Horner’s final race in charge.
Following Mekies’ promotion, Racing Bulls announced that racing director Alan Permane will step up as the team’s new principal.
Reaction from the Paddock
The response within F1 circles has been mixed, though many acknowledge the signs of internal unrest had been visible for some time.
Speaking on Sky Sports, former F1 driver and commentator Martin Brundle shared his thoughts: “I don’t think it is completely out of the blue given the things that are going on, and the problems in the team.
I am quite sad about it as I consider Christian a friend, and he has done an incredible job for 20 years and won an awful lot of races and world championships for drivers and the team.
But it has not been difficult to feel in the Formula One paddock to observe, and hear, that things were not particularly rosy.”
As of now, neither Christian Horner nor Red Bull Racing has made any further public comments.
