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Christian Horner, the Formula 1 stalwart and one of the star figures in the Netflix series Drive to Survive, has been sacked as team principal and CEO of Red Bull Racing.
The decision comes as Red Bull tries to navigate one of its most challenging seasons in several years as they struggle to field a consistently competitive car and find a suitable second driver to pair with main driver Max Verstappen. Verstappen, who’s won the past four Drivers’ Championships, currently sits in third in the Drivers’ Championship standings, while Red Bull sits fourth in the Constructors’ Championship standings behind Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren.
Last season, Horner also came under scrutiny during an investigation into inappropriate and controlling behavior towards a female employee. Red Bull’s parent company enlisted an external investigator to lead the process, while Horner was also questioned by a King’s Counsel.
Horner was eventually cleared, the complaint was dismissed, and the employee was suspended based on findings from the independent investigation. The employee filed an appeal last March, which Red Bull said was “not upheld” in August 2024. Horner has denied the allegations.
Horner’s ouster is effective immediately. He will be replaced by Laurent Mekies, who hops over from his role as team principal of Red Bull’s sister team, Racing Bulls.
In a statement, Red Bull CEO of corporate projects and investments, Oliver Mintzlaff, thanked Horner “for his exceptional work,” adding, “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” (via The Athletic).
Horner has yet to share a statement of his own.
Despite recent struggles, Horner has enjoyed an otherwise wildly successful 20-year tenure at Red Bull Racing. He was hired as the first team principal in 2005 after the energy drink company purchased Jaguar Racing and rebranded the team. He went on to lead Red Bull to six Constructors’ Championships, while Red Bull drivers have won eight Drivers’ Championships under his leadership.
