In a stunning development, Red Bull Racing has sacked long-time team principal and CEO Christian Horner, ending his 20-year tenure that helped shape the team into a Formula One powerhouse.
The announcement follows months of internal turbulence within Red Bull&rsquo;s F1 operations, including the departures of key figures Adrian Newey, Jonathan Wheatley, and Rob Marshall. Horner is the latest to exit, raising fresh questions about the team's direction and stability.
Laurent Mekies, former principal of Racing Bulls, has been appointed as Horner&rsquo;s successor. Meanwhile, Alan Permane will take over leadership at Racing Bulls.
Reflecting on the transition, Mekies said:
&ldquo;The last year and a half has been an absolute privilege. Alan is the perfect man to take over and continue our path.&rdquo;
Horner, appointed in 2005, was the youngest team principal at the time. Under his leadership, Red Bull achieved immense success: six Constructors&rsquo; Championships and eight Drivers&rsquo; titles, making the team one of the most dominant in modern F1 history.
Red Bull MD Oliver Mintzlaff praised Horner&rsquo;s legacy, saying:
&ldquo;With his tireless commitment and innovation, Christian played a pivotal role in making Red Bull Racing what it is today.&rdquo;
The shake-up intensifies speculation around Max Verstappen, amid rumours of a potential move to Mercedes in 2026.
With Horner&rsquo;s departure, Red Bull faces a critical phase &mdash; balancing legacy, leadership transition, and retaining its competitive edge.
[Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.]
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Christian Horner Sacked as Red Bull F1 Team Principal After 20 Years, Mekies Named Successor

Red Bull fires longtime F1 boss Christian Horner; Laurent Mekies takes over amid team turbulence

Christian Horner Sacked as Red Bull F1 Team Principal After 20 Years, Mekies Named Successor

Red Bull fires longtime F1 boss Christian Horner; Laurent Mekies takes over amid team turbulence

July 9, 2025 | 21:17 IST