Red Bull Racing has officially announced the immediate departure of Christian Horner, bringing an end to his 20-year tenure as team principal in a move that has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 paddock.
The decision, which comes just days after the British Grand Prix where Max Verstappen finished fifth, marks the end of an era for the team that has dominated much of the last decade of Formula 1. While the announcement may seem sudden, industry insiders suggest this was a decision at least 18 months in the making.
"Horner has been released from his operational duties with effect from today," the team stated in their brief official announcement, with Red Bull's chief executive officer Oliver Mintzlaff adding little detail about the reasons behind the decision.
A Perfect Storm of Problems
Horner's future was first called into question in February 2024 when allegations emerged from a female employee accusing him of sexual harassment and coercive behavior. While he was twice cleared by internal Red Bull investigations, the situation added significant pressure to an already complex power dynamic within the team.
Beyond the allegations, a series of power struggles, poor performance, and questionable decisions appear to have contributed to Horner's downfall:
Power Struggles Within Red Bull
October 2022
Following the death of Red Bull co-owner Dietrich Mateschitz, Horner reportedly saw an opportunity to enhance his power within the organization, leading to tensions with long-time motorsport adviser Helmut Marko.
March 2024
The power struggle with Marko reached a critical point, with Max Verstappen stepping in to back the Austrian, making it clear that if Marko left, so would he.
April 2024
Adrian Newey, Red Bull's legendary chief technical officer, resigned amid tensions with Horner and concerns about the team's direction.
July 2024
Sporting director Jonathan Wheatley resigned to join Sauber/Audi as team principal.
September 2024
Head of strategy Will Courtenay left to join McLaren.
Performance Decline
Red Bull's performance has declined significantly since Newey's departure. At the halfway point of the 2025 season, Verstappen has won just twice in 12 races, compared to his dominant form in previous years. The team currently sits fourth in the constructors' championship, behind McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes.
Red Bull's Performance Decline
- 2023: Verstappen won a record 19 of 22 races
- 2024: Wins began to decline after Newey's departure
- 2025: Only 2 wins in 12 races at season midpoint
- Current position: 4th in constructors' championship
Questionable Driver Decisions
Horner's management of the team's second driver situation has been heavily criticized. Despite Sergio Perez's declining form in 2023, Horner signed him to a new two-year contract in May 2024, only to drop him in December of the same year at a reported cost of €18 million (£15.5m).
His subsequent choices for the second seat—first Liam Lawson, then Yuki Tsunoda—have failed to deliver results, with the current second driver having scored just 7 points compared to Verstappen's 165 this season.
The Verstappen Factor
Perhaps most significantly, rumors have circulated that Red Bull faced an ultimatum from the Verstappen camp—either Horner goes or Max would leave. With Mercedes actively courting the four-time world champion, Red Bull faced the prospect of losing their star driver if they continued to back Horner.
"Verstappen has repeatedly said that he wants to work in a calm, relaxed environment. And Red Bull has been anything but that for at least the past 18 months, and probably longer," noted one F1 analyst.
What's Next for Red Bull?
With Horner's departure, Red Bull faces significant challenges ahead. The team must stabilize leadership, address performance issues, and most critically, secure Verstappen's commitment for the future.
The 2026 regulations present another hurdle, as Red Bull Powertrains will produce its own engines for the first time, working with Ford. Horner himself admitted recently that it would be "embarrassing for Mercedes" if Red Bull's new power unit outperformed theirs in its first year.
As one era ends, Red Bull must now focus on rebuilding for the next chapter in its Formula 1 story—potentially without the man who guided them to six constructors' championships and multiple drivers' titles over two decades.