Christian Horner suddenly sacked by Red Bull a year on from texting scandal as 20-year reign comes to brutal end

Christian Horner has been removed from his positions as chief executive and team principal of the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team after a 20-year reign at the F1 team

Daniel Moxon Senior F1 Writer and Fasika Zelealem Senior Sports Reporter

11:02, 09 Jul 2025

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JUNE 14: Christian Horner, Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing looks on from the pit wall during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 14, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Christian Horner spent 20 years as the team principal of Red Bull Racing(Image: Mark Thompson, Getty Images)

Christian Horner has been stripped of his roles as chief executive and team principal at Red Bull Racing with immediate effect.

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The Red Bull parent company has already confirmed the development in a statement. "Christian Horner has been sacked by Red Bull after 20 years as team principal," the message read, while it also confirmed: "Laurent Mekies has been promoted from Racing Bulls to replace him as CEO."

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Horner's sudden sacking comes just one year on from the scandal he was at centre of which alleged he engaged in “inappropriate behaviour” with a female colleague.

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Horner vehemently denied the claims and was cleared of any wrongdoing in an internal investigation headed up by Red Bull. However, the decision to part ways with the Brit has come at the mid-way part of the 2025 season.

Red Bull CEO of Corporate Projects and Investments, Oliver Mintzlaff, said in a statement: "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."

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Christian Horner speaks to Max Verstappen in the Red Bull team garage

Christian Horner's 20-year reign at Red Bull has come to an end(Image: Formula 1 via Getty Images)

The Brit has been the team's only leader since first arriving in Formula 1 back in 2005.

The Red Bull energy drinks company purchased the then-floundering Jaguar F1 team in November 2004 before rebranding the team and recruiting Horner to turn it into the sport's next best force on the track.

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It was in 2010 that Red Bull won their first of four consecutive drivers' championships with Sebastian Vettel at helm. The team then went seven years before winning again but repeated their prior achievement from 2021 to 2024 with Max Verstappen establishing himself as one of F1's greatest racers.

The sacking of Horner could have huge ramifications in Max Verstappen's future at Red Bull(Image: Getty Images)

With Mekies now taking place Horner's place, it has also been confirmed that Alan Permane will be promoted from his role as sporting director of Racing Bulls to now become team principal at Red Bull's junior team, reports the Mirror.

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"The last year and a half has been an absolute privilege to lead the team with Peter [Bayer, Racing Bulls CEO]," Mekies said. "It has been an amazing adventure to contribute to the birth of Racing Bulls together with all our talented people.

"The spirit of the whole team is incredible, and I strongly believe that this is just the beginning. Alan is the perfect man to take over now and continue our path. He knows the team inside out and has always been an important pillar of our early successes."