Red Bull Fires Christian Horner in Stunning Move

In a major shake-up mid-season, Red Bull Racing has officially dismissed Christian Horner from his role as team principal, ending his two-decade leadership of one of Formula 1’s most dominant teams.

The announcement came just days after Red Bull’s underwhelming performance at the British Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen finished fifth and Yuki Tsunoda placed 15th in wet conditions at Silverstone.

With the team currently fourth in the constructors’ standings, trailing behind McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes, Red Bull is experiencing its most turbulent season in years.

A Rough Season and Mounting Pressure

Red Bull’s form in 2025 has fallen far short of expectations.

After dominating the sport with back-to-back constructors’ championships in 2022 and 2023, the team was dethroned by McLaren in 2024—and has yet to recover its pace this year.

Key decisions have also added to the internal instability. The season began with the team dropping Sergio Pérez in favor of rookie Liam Lawson, only to replace him with Tsunoda after a disappointing start. Yet Tsunoda has failed to score a single point in the last five races, compounding Red Bull’s performance woes.

Red Bull Pays Tribute to Horner’s Legacy

In a statement released Wednesday, Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff acknowledged Horner’s immense contributions, saying:

“With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking, Christian has been instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful and attractive teams in Formula 1.”

Horner, who joined Red Bull in 2005, led the team through a golden era, overseeing six constructors’ titles and eight drivers’ championships, including Max Verstappen’s current four-year reign as world champion.

Though the organization did not provide a specific reason for Horner’s departure, the decision marks the end of an era for Red Bull Racing.

Misconduct Allegations Resurface in Backdrop

Horner’s firing comes more than a year after he faced misconduct allegations from a team employee, though the timing of the dismissal has reignited speculation.

Red Bull previously stated that an internal investigation—and a subsequent appeal—cleared Horner of wrongdoing, allowing him to remain at the helm throughout the process. No connection between the dismissal and the past allegations was made in the team’s official statement.

Verstappen’s Future Now in Doubt

Horner’s departure could have broader implications for Red Bull’s driver lineup—most notably, Max Verstappen.

The four-time world champion has been the cornerstone of Red Bull’s recent success, but with the team’s performance faltering and leadership in flux, questions are mounting about whether Verstappen will stay on past 2025.

No official comment has been made by the Dutch driver or his representatives regarding the leadership change.

Racing Bulls and Leadership Reshuffle

The shake-up didn’t stop at Red Bull Racing. The team’s sister outfit, Racing Bulls, also announced a leadership change.

With Laurent Mekies promoted to CEO of Red Bull Racing, Alan Permane will step in to lead Racing Bulls. Permane previously served as Racing Director and is credited with helping steer the early development of the team.

In a statement, Mekies expressed confidence in Permane’s leadership:

“Alan is the perfect man to take over now and continue our path. He knows the team inside out and has always been an important pillar of our early successes.”

End of an Era, Uncertain Road Ahead

Christian Horner’s exit leaves a sizable void at Red Bull Racing as the team seeks to reclaim its dominant position in Formula 1.

With McLaren surging ahead and Red Bull scrambling to stabilize its driver lineup and leadership structure, the second half of the 2025 season could be pivotal—not only for Red Bull’s championship hopes, but for its long-term future in the sport.