Christian Horner Sacked as Red Bull F1 Boss After 20 Years

In a shocking turn of events, Christian Horner has been removed as the Red Bull Racing F1 team principal, ending his 20-year leadership at the team. The decision was confirmed on Wednesday morning, just days after a disappointing British Grand Prix for Red Bull.

Horner, who is 51 years old, led Red Bull Racing since its debut in Formula One in 2005. Under his management, the team won six Constructors’ Championships and eight Drivers’ Championships, making Red Bull one of the sport’s most dominant teams.

One Year After Scandal

The announcement comes almost exactly a year after Horner faced a personal scandal involving alleged inappropriate behavior with a female colleague. Though he was cleared twice after internal investigations, the controversy remained a cloud over his position.

Horner has not been accused of any legal wrongdoing, but leaked WhatsApp messages last year caused significant media attention and public backlash. Red Bull has never fully disclosed the internal findings.

A Legacy of Wins

Horner’s time at Red Bull saw 124 Grand Prix victories, thanks to stars like Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, both of whom won four world titles each under his leadership. He was the longest-serving team boss in Formula One history until this announcement.

Despite this record, Red Bull’s recent form has declined. After a poor showing at the 2025 British Grand Prix, the team now sits fourth in the Constructors’ standings—far from their dominant past.

Red Bull’s Statement

Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull’s CEO of Corporate Projects and Investments, issued a statement:

“We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years. His commitment, experience, and leadership helped make Red Bull Racing one of the most successful teams in Formula One. He will always be a key part of our history.”

Who Replaces Horner?

Horner will be replaced by Laurent Mekies, former team principal of Racing Bulls (Red Bull’s sister team). Mekies brings a strong technical background and leadership style that Red Bull hopes will revive the team’s winning ways.

Personal Life

Christian Horner is married to Geri Halliwell, best known as “Ginger Spice” from the Spice Girls. The couple has faced public pressure due to last year’s scandal, though they’ve maintained a united front.

What’s Next?

This decision has shocked the F1 community. Many fans and analysts did not expect Horner to be removed, especially after surviving the scandal in 2024. His next move is still unclear, but insiders believe he may take time away from the sport before returning in another role.