Christian Horner’s shock departure as Red Bull Racing team principal reportedly came during a face-to-face meeting in London last week, according to new claims that shed light on how the long-serving F1 boss was removed from his role.
German publication Bild reports that Horner was called to a private meeting with Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff and senior advisor Helmut Marko in a hotel suite, where he was officially told he would be stepping down.
The meeting took place last Tuesday, just days before the British Grand Prix.
Horner, 51, had led Red Bull Racing since its inception in 2005, making him the longest-serving team principal in Formula 1. Under his guidance, the team won six constructors' championships and eight drivers' titles.
While the London meeting marked the official delivery of the news, the process behind Horner’s exit reportedly began weeks earlier. According to Bild, the idea of a leadership change first took shape around last month’s Austrian Grand Prix.
That event sparked discussions at Red Bull’s Austrian headquarters, involving Mintzlaff and key stakeholders Chalerm Yoovidhya and Mark Mateschitz.
A decisive Zoom call a week later reportedly sealed Horner’s fate, as Red Bull’s owners gave their approval to move forward with his removal.
Internal Tensions and Fading Influence
Horner’s relationship with Yoovidhya – once seen as a crucial beacon of support – had reportedly cooled. Frustration is believed to have grown over Horner’s unwillingness to share oversight of key Red Bull Racing departments at Milton Keynes, including marketing, technical operations, and the engine program.
Christian Horner with Red Bull shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya.
This consolidation of control reportedly led to increased friction between Horner and the energy drink company’s top brass and shareholders, leading to the Briton’s increasingly isolated position within the Red Bull structure.
Adding to the drama, both Yoovidhya and Red Bull’s star driver, Max Verstappen, were notably absent from Horner’s annual clay pigeon shoot near Oxford, held days before the British Grand Prix. The event, typically a staple of team camaraderie, underscored the growing divide.
Red Bull’s Future in the Spotlight
Red Bull now finds itself in uncharted waters on the racing front, with former Racings Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies now in charge. After years of dominating Formula 1, the team has dropped to fourth place in the constructors’ championship.
Max Verstappen, who has claimed the last four drivers’ titles, currently sits third in the standings –trailing the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Red Bull GmbH managing director Oliver Mintzlaff.
Adding to the pressure is a contract clause – the specifics of which are not known – that could see Verstappen walk away altogether from the team, while talks between the Dutchman and Mercedes have also been revealed.
Amid the team’s internal struggles, Verstappen’s allegiance has remained firmly with Helmut Marko –the man who spotted his potential and championed his rise to F1.
Horner’s exit marks the end of an era for Red Bull, where his strategic acumen and leadership transformed the team into a dominant force in F1.
As the paddock reels from the news, all eyes are on Red Bull’s next move – and whether Verstappen will remain at the heart of their championship aspirations.
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