Christian Horner could be in line for a pay-out exceeding £50 million following his sudden dismissal as Red Bull Racing team principal, with discussions now expected to turn toward negotiating the terms of his departure from the Formula 1 powerhouse.
The 51-year-old was officially “released from his operational duties” on Wednesday after 20 years leading the Milton Keynes-based squad.
While he remains an employee of Red Bull GmbH for the time being, attention for the two parties has likely quickly shifted to what is expected to be a high-stakes contractual settlement.
According to a report from The Telegraph, Horner’s long-term contract with Red Bull is believed to run until the end of 2030 – another five and a half years.
In 2023, he earned £8.92 million according to Red Bull Technology Ltd’s latest accounts, up from £8.04 million the year prior. That figure, the highest for any team principal in F1, is believed to have risen again following Red Bull’s 2024 drivers’ championship success.
Should Horner push for the remainder of his contract to be honored in full, the total settlement could reach or exceed £50 million ($67 million).
Christian Horner with Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff.
Horner is likely to seek legal advice as he looks to secure compensation for his premature dismissal.
It’s worth noting that the 51-year-old Briton played a central role not only in Red Bull Racing’s competitive success — including eight drivers’ titles, six constructors’ championships, and 124 race wins — but also in securing major commercial partnerships across both Red Bull and its sister team, Racing Bulls.
Red Bull Expected to Challenge Payout Demands
Red Bull GmbH – the parent company of Red Bull Racing – is expected to resist any push for a full contractual pay-out. As a legal strategy, the company would likely invoke Horner’s employability, with the British team boss still seen as a highly capable figure within motorsport despite the controversy surrounding his final year.
While Horner was at the center of a high-profile internal investigation into alleged inappropriate behaviour with a female employee in 2024 – which he denied and was cleared of – his track record makes him a strong candidate for future leadership roles in F1 or elsewhere in the racing world.
Red Bull’s legal team may also explore other grounds to challenge the payout figure, including whether the terms of Horner’s departure meet criteria for dismissal with cause or whether reputational factors could affect certain contractual entitlements.
Horner’s two-decade reign saw Red Bull transform from newcomers into one of F1’s most dominant forces. Under his leadership, the team not only collected titles but helped nurture the careers of many star drivers including world champions Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.
His sudden departure – and the ongoing uncertainty over its financial resolution – adds another layer of instability to a Red Bull camp already grappling with internal power dynamics and questions about its long-term structure heading into the sweeping 2026 regulation changes.
Whether Horner receives a massive compensation package or faces a prolonged legal negotiation remains to be seen, but the fallout from his exit is likely only just beginning.
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