F1 News Today: Red Bull Ends Historic 20‑Year Reign of Christian Horner
Milton Keynes, July 9, 2025 – In a stunning mid‑season shake‑up, Red Bull Racing has dismissed team principal and CEO Christian Horner, bringing an end to a 20‑year tenure that transformed the team from a fledgling entrant into a dominant force in Formula One.
Red Bull confirmed the decision yesterday, July 9, appointing Laurent Mekies—current chief of sister outfit Racing Bulls—as the new CEO in charge of the Formula One operation. No specific reason was cited, but company insiders have pointed to a combination of declining on‑track results, internal discord, and a push for a fresh leadership structure ahead of F1’s sweeping 2026 regulatory changes.
Horner, 51, took the reins of Red Bull in 2005, becoming F1’s youngest team principal at age 31. Under his guidance, the Milton Keynes squad secured six Constructors’ Championships and eight Drivers’ Championships—four during Sebastian Vettel’s streak from 2010 to 2013, and another four with Max Verstappen between 2021 and 2024. The team amassed 124 race wins, 107 pole positions, and 287 podiums.
Yet the past 18 months tested Horner’s leadership. He faced investigations in early 2024 over alleged inappropriate behavior toward a female employee—although he was cleared twice in confidential inquiries. Tensions escalated, with key figures—including Verstappen’s father, Jos—publicly questioning his position. Furthermore, Red Bull endured significant personnel losses: legend Adrian Newey exited for Aston Martin, and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley departed for Sauber/Audio.
On-track struggles followed, with Red Bull slumping to fourth in the constructors’ standings and trailing McLaren by a substantial margin—currently 288 points behind the leaders. Verstappen, too, fell behind rivals Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in a campaign that has so far failed to ignite.
In his farewell, Horner described the news as a “shock” and offered heartfelt thanks to his team in an emotional speech at Milton Keynes, pledging to remain on gardening leave until year-end.
“From my first race win, to four world championships, we have shared incredible successes… With immense pride in what we’ve achieved,” he reflected on social media, noting the exciting projects ahead, including the Red Bull Powertrains engine program.
A New Era Under Mekies
Laurent Mekies, 48, brings a technical and managerial pedigree to the role. His career spans time at FIA, Ferrari, and Toro Rosso before leading Racing Bulls since 2024 ([Al Jazeera][4]).
He now inherits a team at a crossroads—striving to reclaim its competitive edge as Formula One evolves under new technical and powertrain regulations in 2026.
Whether Mekies can restore Red Bull to its former dominance will define the next chapter. Meanwhile, speculation continues over Verstappen’s future—rumors linking him to Mercedes persist, although his current contract runs through 2028, with performance-triggered exit clauses under discussion.
As the paddock turns its gaze to the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, Red Bull Racing enters a new era—closing one of the most influential chapters in modern F1 history.