Red Bull’s power corridors rarely echo with sentimentality – and the energy drink company’s managing director Oliver Mintzlaff made that crystal clear as he peeled back the curtain on the reasons behind Christian Horner’s abrupt exit after two decades at the helm of the F1 team.
The Briton’s removal last July after the British Grand Prix, with Laurent Mekies stepping in from Racing Bulls, sent shockwaves through the F1 paddock. Six Constructors’ crowns. Eight Drivers’ titles. A dynasty built brick by brick in Milton Keynes.
But even a trophy cabinet that heavy wasn't enough to save him when the vibes turned sour and the boardroom grew restless.
Despite the Briton’s relentless denials regarding allegations of misconduct, the writing was on the wall: the "Horner Era" had reached its expiration date.
And yet, Mintzlaff insists the decision was neither reckless nor reactive.
"I wouldn’t call it a risk, because we were 100% behind this measure,” he told De Telegraaf.
“We knew we had to do something. I’m not a so-called hire-and-fire manager, someone who fires people just like that," Mintzlaff said.
The German hints that there was respect for Horner – but no room for nostalgia to steer the ship.
"Christian has a great track record with the team and has achieved a lot of success,” he added. “Everyone here in the company, myself included, appreciates him for what he has done. But this is also part of being a professional organisation.
"You can’t keep relying on history and we felt it was time to turn the page and start a new chapter. It wasn’t an easy decision, but we didn’t rush into it either."
The message was unmistakable: Red Bull is about momentum, not monuments.
Marko, Max, and the Messy Aftermath
Mintzlaff also pushed back firmly on recent comments from Helmut Marko, who suggested Horner tried to consolidate power after Dietrich Mateschitz’s death – and even claimed that Max Verstappen’s 2025 title hopes suffered because Horner stayed too long.
"Those words about Christian are Helmut’s responsibility," Mintzlaff said.
"I can’t say anything negative about Christian. Simply because he has meant a lot to Red Bull. But there always comes a time when things aren’t going well and then, as a company, you have to make a decision.
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"Are you going to give someone more time, or is it time for a new leader? We felt it was time for a change. I disagree with Helmut’s statements. Yes, it’s logical that things change in an organisation. Perhaps Dr Marko has also changed over the years.
"I think it’s quite normal that not everything is the same as it was five years ago. Christian and Helmut have worked together wonderfully for years, since the start in 2005, so we’re talking about more than 20 years.
"Give me a few examples of other large sports organisations where the leadership team has remained the same for so long. So you can view it very negatively that they are both gone now.
“But I would say that it is unique that they have been here together for so long and achieved so much. Sometimes you just need a change to shake things up."
In typical Red Bull fashion, the verdict is ruthless but calculated: gratitude acknowledged, chapter closed, future prioritized. The cans keep popping – just with a different hand on the tab.
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