Christian Horner sacked by Red Bull after 20 years

Laurent Mekies takes over as CEO with immediate effect following the British Grand Prix

Red Bull Racing has parted ways with team principal Christian Horner with immediate effect.

The 51-year-old's departure marks the end of a remarkable 20-year tenure that transformed the Milton Keynes outfit into one of Formula 1's most successful teams.

Racing Bulls team boss Laurent Mekies is to take over as CEO of Red Bull Racing with immediate effect replacing Christian Horner, it was announced on Wednesday.

The announcement came just two days after the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

End of an era for Red Bull Racing

Horner's exit represents a seismic shift for Red Bull Racing.

He joined the team in 2005 when it was still finding its feet in Formula 1.

Under his leadership, Red Bull claimed six constructors' championships between 2010 and 2023.

The timing of his departure follows a challenging period for the team.

Red Bull has struggled to maintain its competitive edge throughout the 2025 season.

The team currently sits fourth in the constructors' championship, a dramatic fall from their recent dominance.

Horner has held the role for some 20 years – the Briton leading Red Bull through their first F1 season back in 2005 and playing a key role in turning them from points scorers into World Champions.

Mekies steps into leadership role

Laurent Mekies brings extensive Formula 1 experience to his new role.

The Frenchman previously served as Racing Bulls team principal and has worked with Ferrari in various technical capacities.

His appointment signals Red Bull's commitment to rebuilding their competitive position.

As part of the managerial reshuffle, current Racing Bulls Racing Director Alan Permane will be promoted to Team Principal following Mekies' promotion.

This creates a domino effect across the Red Bull family of teams.

Alan Permane will take over at Racing Bulls, bringing decades of Formula 1 experience from his previous roles.

The British engineer has worked extensively in the sport and knows the Red Bull structure well.

Challenges ahead for Red Bull

The Austrian energy drink company faces significant challenges moving forward.

Max Verstappen's future remains uncertain despite his contract running until 2028. Various exit clauses could potentially allow the three-time world champion to leave at the end of this month.

Mercedes has shown interest in acquiring Verstappen's services.

This adds another layer of complexity to Red Bull's current situation. Losing their star driver would compound the team's existing struggles.

The team has also lost several key technical figures recently.

Design guru Adrian Newey, designer Rob Marshall, and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley have all departed.

Strategy chief Will Courtenay is expected to join McLaren at the end of the season.

Technical concerns

Red Bull's performance decline began when McLaren caught up with their car development in May last year.

Since then, the team has struggled to regain its competitive advantage. The slide has continued throughout the 2025 season despite Verstappen managing to win two races.

From next season, Red Bull will embark on its own engine program through Red Bull Powertrains.

This partnership with Ford adds further question marks over the team's long-term competitiveness. Developing a competitive power unit while rebuilding the chassis side presents enormous challenges.

The team's strategic operations have also come under scrutiny.

Poor strategy calls and tactical errors have cost valuable championship points throughout the season. These issues contributed to the pressure on Horner's position.

Looking forward

Red Bull Racing now faces a period of transition under new leadership.

Mekies must quickly establish his authority and implement changes to reverse the team's fortunes.

The remainder of the 2025 season will provide crucial insight into whether the managerial change can spark improvement.

The Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps will be Mekies' first race weekend as Red Bull Racing CEO.

All eyes will be on how the team performs under its new leadership structure.

Horner's departure closes a significant chapter in Red Bull's Formula 1 story.

His legacy includes eight drivers' championships split between Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel, plus six constructors' titles. The challenge now is for Red Bull to write a new successful chapter under different leadership.