Breaking: Red Bull Racing has sacked Christian Horner

This just in: Christian Horner has been sacked by Red Bull Racing after 20 years as team principal.

Horner, 51, has been replaced as CEO of Red Bull Racing with immediate effect by Laurent Mekies, who has been promoted from sister team Racing Bulls. Meanwhile Alan Permane, who was RB's racing director, will take on Mekies' old job as team principal.

Insiders say staff at Red Bull were only told at 10am today, and that Horner himself was also only informed about the decision this morning.

"After 20 years with the team, Christian Horner departs Oracle Red Bull Racing as team principal and CEO," said Red Bull in a statement.

"We thank him for his tireless and exceptional work. He has been instrumental in building this team into one of the most successful in F1, with eight drivers' championships and six constructors' championships.

"Thank you for everything Christian, you will forever remain an important part of our team's history."

The reason for Horner’s dismissal has yet to be revealed. Last year he was accused of inappropriate behaviour by a female colleague in a scandal that rocked the sport, but he was later cleared by an internal investigation and that verdict was upheld on appeal.

The performance of the team has also declined dramatically in the last 18 months. After winning 22 of 23 grands prix in 2023 and starting last year’s campaign in similar fashion, Red Bull’s pace collapsed and the constructors’ title was eventually fought out between Ferrari and eventual winners McLaren, though Max Verstappen retained enough of an advantage to claim a fourth drivers’ title.

And although the Dutchman has won two races in 2025 so far, this year’s car appears tricky to drive and a string of teammates haven’t come close to matching Verstappen’s speed for several years, effectively making Red Bull a one-car team: the second car has only chipped in 40 points since last season’s British Grand Prix.

Red Bull’s fall from the front seems to have coincided with the departure of aero legend Adrian Newey, who allegedly decided to leave his role last year in part because of the allegations made against Horner. Newey has since joined Aston Martin.

Max’s future has also been in sharp focus: his contract with Red Bull runs until the end of 2028, but he’s known to be in talks with Mercedes and his and the team’s current position in both F1 championships is thought to make an early exit possible. Widely regarded as the best driver on the grid – and the only one apparently capable of taming Red Bull’s recent packages – his loss would be seismic.

“The last year and a half has been an absolute privilege to lead the team with Peter [Bayer],” said Mekies. “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.”