Red Bull Racing CEO and Team Principal Christian Horner was fired from his position over a year after being accused of inappropriate behavior by a female employee.
The 51-year-old, who is married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, was dismissed after 20 years as team principal.
Laurent Mekies was appointed as Christian’s replacement as CEO at Red Bull Racing.
Highlights
- Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was sacked after 20 years with the team.
- Laurent Mekies was appointed as Christian’s replacement as CEO at Red Bull Racing.
- Reports claimed that “no reason was given to him” for his release.
- The now-sacked F1 boss was embroiled in a scandal that left his wife and former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell “mortified and angry” last year.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was sacked after 20 years with the team
Image credits: Vince Mignott / Getty Images
“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,” the company said in a Wednesday statement.
Laurent, from Red Bull's sister team Racing Bulls, will be taking over Christian’s position, while Alan Permane will be promoted to Team Principal at Racing Bulls.
Oliver Mintzlaff, Managing director of parent company Red Bull GmbH, confirmed the news in a statement.
“We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years,” he said in a statement.
Christian's wife and Spice Girl Geri Halliwell was left “mortified and angry” after the recent scandal
Image credits: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images
He was “instrumental” in establishing Red Bull Racing as “one of the most successful and attractive teams in Formula 1” with his “tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking,” Oliver said.
Christian was in charge of the Formula 1 team since its establishment in 2005, becoming F1's youngest team principal when he was appointed.
Over the course of two decades, he led the team to eight drivers' championship and six constructors' championship titles
“No reason was given to him” for his release, according to Sky Sports F1's Martin Brundle.
Reports claimed that “no reason was given to him” for his release
Image credits: Clive Mason / Getty Images
The firing came amid rumors of champion driver Max Verstappen possibly leaving Red Bull at the end of this season.
Even though his Red Bull contract runs till 2028, the four-time world champion was being courted by Mercedes to potentially join them next season.
Max’s manager Raymond Vermeulen responded to the news of Christian’s sacking and said “nothing will change.”
“We were informed in advance by Red Bull's management that this decision had been made,” Raymond said. “It is up to Red Bull to provide further explanation regarding the reasons.”
“We continue to look at the sporting side and are looking for more performance so we can return to the top,” he added. “In that respect, nothing will change.”
The firing also comes amid rumors of champion Max Verstappen leaving Red Bull at the end of this season
Image credits: Mark Thompson / Getty Images
In February 2024, a female colleague accused the now-sacked F1 boss of “inappropriate, controlling behavior.”
As the scandal unfolded, the Spice Girls alum was reportedly “mortified and angry” over the claims against her husband, whom she married in 2015, sources claimed.
“Geri has been in floods of tears all weekend while looking after her kids,” a source close to Ginger Spice told The Sun in February last year.
“She is insisting Christian has done nothing wrong,” the source added.
Christian denied the allegations and was cleared by Red Bull after a rigorous three-week investigation.
But just 24-hours after the team announced that there were no findings of misconduct, an anonymous source leaked WhatsApp texts and pictures that were allegedly sent between Christian and the complainant.
“Geri has been in floods of tears,” a source said as the scandal unfolded last year
Image credits: Qian Jun / Getty Images
Amid widespread speculation over the circulating material, Christian defiantly appeared hand-in-hand with Geri at the F1 paddock in Bahrain in March 2024.
They watched Max Verstappen score his first win of the season during the race weekend.
Sources claimed people were upset with Christian staying in his position with the team.
“There is tension here while he remains in his position,” Max Verstappen’s father Jos told the Daily Mail at the time.
“The team is in danger of being torn apart. It can’t go on the way it is. It will explode,” said Jos, who is known to have an icy relationship with Christian.
The female complainant, who accused Christian, submitted a formal appeal to Red Bull GmbH in March 2024 over their decision to clear Christian.
The chief was once again exonerated in August.
“Red Bull gave him wings,” one quipped online after news of the firing
