Red Bull Sacks Christian Horner Amid F1 Scandal Fallout

In a stunning turn of events for Formula 1, Red Bull Racing dismissed Christian Horner on July 9, 2025, marking the end of his two-decade tenure as team principal.

This surprising decision came just days after the British Grand Prix, leaving many in the paddock shocked—especially since Horner had seemingly weathered last year’s scandal involving sexting and internal power struggles.

Red Bull’s brief statement expressed gratitude for Horner’s “tireless commitment,” but didn’t provide any specifics regarding his firing. However, sources indicate that behind the official facade lay a mix of dwindling performance, internal rivalries, and lingering tensions from the misconduct allegations of 2024.

What Led to Horner’s Dismissal?

Horner’s removal wasn’t due to a single incident, but rather a prolonged series of issues. Although he was cleared of allegations related to inappropriate conduct in 2024, the scandal had already shaken trust within the organization. Chalerm Yoovidhya, the Thai majority owner who had been one of Horner’s strongest supporters, reportedly pulled back his backing under pressure from Austrian stakeholders and members of Max Verstappen’s team.

The team’s performance had also taken a nosedive. After dominating in 2023 with 21 wins, Red Bull found itself in fourth place in 2025, with Verstappen publicly voicing his discontent about the car.

“McLaren aren’t my rivals right now. I’m just along for the ride,”

he admitted back in April. For a team that has always prided itself on winning, such mediocrity was unacceptable—and Horner ultimately bore the consequences.

BREAKING: Christian Horner is to exit Red Bull Racing with immediate effect#F1 pic.twitter.com/v50mwnBlV6

— Formula 1 (@F1) July 9, 2025

Meet Laurent Mekies: The New Leader at Red Bull Racing

Taking over from Horner is Laurent Mekies, the former Racing Bulls principal. The Frenchman, who has a wealth of experience in F1, including roles at Ferrari and Toro Rosso, has his work cut out for him: he needs to solidify Verstappen’s future and revive the team’s competitive edge following Adrian Newey’s exit.

Mekies’ promotion shows Red Bull’s aim for continuity, but insiders are skeptical about whether he can repair the damaged relationships within the team. Sky Sports’ Martin Brundle, a confidant of Horner’s, noted,

“Things weren’t exactly going smoothly. While this is about performance, the personal issues go deep.”

What’s Next for Max Verstappen?

Horner’s departure could lead to unexpected developments. Verstappen, who is under contract until 2028, has performance clauses that could allow him to leave early, and Mercedes’ Toto Wolff is actively watching the situation.

“It’s highly unlikely I won’t be at Mercedes next year,”

joked George Russell, adding fuel to the speculation.

However, Horner’s exit might actually relieve some tensions with Jos Verstappen, who had warned that Red Bull would “explode” if Horner remained. “It got personal within Team Verstappen,” Brundle observed. If Mekies can provide a competitive car, Max might stick around. If not, Formula 1 could see a major shift.

Timeline of Red Bull’s Decline

2023: Achieved historic dominance with 21 wins.
February 2024: Misconduct allegations come to light; Horner is cleared after an investigation.
2025: Adrian Newey leaves; the team’s performance begins to struggle, with Verstappen trailing McLaren by 69 points.
July 2025: Horner is fired, and Mekies takes over.

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