Christian Horner Kicked Out Of Red Bull
The sensational news ends the longest reign of Formula One team principals in the sport and comes a year after the scandal that engulfed him over texts he apparently sent to a female employee.
Red Bull issued a statement confirming the news, reading:
'Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect
from today, Wednesday 9 July 2025, and has appointed Laurent Mekies as CEO of
Red Bull Racing.'
Horner's former Spice Girl wife Geri
Halliwell stood by her husband after the explosive accusations rocked the
Formula One paddock last year. Horner has vehemently denied the claims.
Screenshots of alleged WhatsApp messages between Horner
and a Red Bull employee were leaked anonymously the day after a three-week
investigation, carried out externally, cleared the 51-year-old of all
allegations.
Christian Horner survived accusations of coercive
behaviour towards his colleague – and was twice cleared in internal
investigations of wrongdoing.
In the midst of the controversy, he was told by his wife, Spice Girl Halliwell,
to make it 'all go away' – a feat he pulled off for 16 months.
The file allegedly containing texts and
images was leaked to almost 200 people involved in the sport, including owners
Liberty Media, team principals and the media.
Christian Horner was then exonerated for a second time
after the female employee appealed against the findings of the investigation,
which were upheld.
An independent lawyer interviewed Horner for almost nine
hours, it is understood.
Netflix's most recent series of its hugely-successful
Drive to Survive programme revealed Horner's immediate reaction to the
bombshell news of the alleged texts being leaked.
'The higher you rise, the sharper the knives,' he said.
'I've reached the top of my game and I never thought in a
million years I'd have a challenge like this in my career,' Horner continued.
'It's a crucial time of year, in a job that I do, you're the front face of the
organisation.
'You can either hide away or you can get out there and
face it.'
On the track, Horner defiantly responded to
the scandal by helping Verstappen deliver a fourth-successive world
championship, although Red Bull fell short of the constructors' title to rivals
McLaren.
That appeared to be the beginning of the end of Red
Bull's sporting dominance, with McLaren now 288 points ahead of them in the
constructors' standings for the 2025 season.
Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO Corporate Projects and Investments
thanked Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years.
Mintzlafff said: 'We would like to thank Christian Horner
for his exceptional work over the last 20 years.
'With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise and
innovative thinking, he has been instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing
as one of the most successful and attractive teams in Formula One.
'Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will
forever remain an important part of our team history.'
Horner has been at the top of the team since its inception in 2005, and
has led them in two phases to world championship success through Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen,
eight drivers' championships and six constructors' championships.
Christian Horner is now replaced by Mekies, who will take
over the duties of CEO at Red Bull Racing, with Alan Permane, currently Racing
Director, to be promoted to Team Principal at Racing Bulls.
Mekies' first gig in F1 came with Arrows in
2001, where he worked in the background while Jos Verstappen, Max's father, and
Enrique Bernoldi were out on track.
'The last year and a half has been an absolute privilege
to lead the team with Peter,' said Mekies.
'It has been an amazing adventure to contribute to the
birth of Racing Bulls together with all our talented people. The spirit of the
whole team is incredible, and I strongly believe that this is just the
beginning.
'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.'
Permane added: 'I feel very honoured to take on the role
as Team Principal and would like to thank Oliver and Helmut for the trust they
have shown in me.
'I am looking forward to working with Peter to continue
the good work that both him and Laurent have done in taking this team forward.
This is a new challenge for me, but I know that I can count on the support of
everyone within them.'
But, with results poor, his star driver Max Verstappen
unhappy with progress, he has now paid the price.
His £12million-a-year job was secured by
support from the Thai majority owners of Red Bull but that seems to have worn
out.
He was in charge at Silverstone only this past weekend,
seemingly master of all he surveys, including at the annual Clay Day event last
Wednesday, close to his own country house in Oxfordshire.
Red Bull have been contacted for comment but have not
responded.
Red Bull Racing's PR department are being sidelined in
this debacle. An email has arrived directing all media inquiries to be
addressed to their parent energy drinks company in Austria.
Comments
Post a Comment