Red Bull part company with Christian Horner and announce Laurent Mekies as successor

Red Bull Racing have announced they have parted company with Team Principal and CEO Christian Horner, who will be replaced by Laurent Mekies.

Horner has been removed from his duties by Red Bull after 20 years in charge of the Milton Keynes-based racing team.

The 51-year-old had been appointed as team boss in 2004 when Red Bull brought the struggling Jaguar team. In his time, the team have been a successful force in Formula One, with Red Bull winning 124 races, 8 Driver’s Championships and 6 Constructor’s Championships.

In a brief statement, Red Bull’s parent company said, “Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today.”

The team then posted on Instagram, “After 20 years with the Team, Christian Horner departs Oracle Red Bull Racing as Team Principal and CEO.

“We thank him for his tireless and exceptional work. He has been instrumental in building this Team into one of the most successful in Formula 1.

“Thank you for everything Christian, you will forever remain an important part of our team’s history.”

Multiple reports say that the Red Bull board informed Horner on Tuesday night (08/07) of their decision to part ways, with Horner then delivering the news to staff at the team’s Milton Keynes factory earlier today (09/07) shortly before the news became public.

The team have had trouble on and off track of late. The team’s racing performance has declined, with the team having struggled for form in the second half of 2024 and then finding themselves sat 4th in the Constructor’s Championship in 2025, winning just two of the opening 12 races.

Multiple key personnel have also left the team, with Chief Technical Officer and celebrated car designer Adrian Newey joining Aston Martin, Sporting Director Jonathan Wheatley becoming team boss at Sauber and Chief Engineering Officer Rob Marshall joining McLaren. Head of Strategy Will Courtenay is set to join McLaren in 2026 after agreeing a move to leave Red Bull.

Further questions have also been seen over Red Bull’s driver line-up. The team’s second seat has been subject to severe flux, with Sergio Perez dismissed at the end of the 2024 season after a loss of form, but only after he had been originally handed a 2 year contract extension. Perez’s replacement Liam Lawson was shoved aside after only two races to make way for Yuki Tsunoda, who has struggled.

Star driver Max Verstappen has also been strongly linked with an exit, with rumours persisting over the last two weeks of a move to Mercedes for 2026.

Verstappen himself said on social media, “From my first race win, to four world championships, we have shared incredible successes. Winning memorable races and breaking countless records. Thank you for everything, Christian!”

Horner’s professional conduct also came into public question in early 2024 after he was strongly accused of misconduct by a female employee of the team. Two separate tribunals later cleared Horner of misconduct.

While that was going on, however, a power struggle was brought into the open, with Verstappen’s father Jos repeatedly criticising Horner over the scandal and Verstappen himself saying he would leave if Red Bull’s motorsport advisor Dr Helmut Marko was forced out.

Red Bull have announced a further reshuffle of their operations. Mekies will be promoted from his role as Team Principal at the company’s second team Racing Bulls to run Red Bull Racing. The former Ferrari Racing Director, who was a race engineer at Red Bull’s second team when it was known as Toro Rosso in the mid-to-late 2000s, will take charge with immediate effect.

His role at Racing Bulls will be filled by Alan Permane, with the team’s Racing Director promoted to be Racing Bulls’ new Team Principal. Permane, who worked in multiple roles for the Enstone-based F1 team in its various guises as Renault, Lotus and Alpine, will also take up the role with immediate effect.

Mekies said in a statement, “Over the last year and a half it has been an absolute privilege to lead Visa Cash App Racing Bulls and I would like to thank all of our talented people both in Faenza and Milton Keynes. Looking to the future, I am excited to be taking on the role of CEO and Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing, one of the most successful and dynamic teams in the sport.

“It’s an honour to be part of this group of brilliant people that embody the Red Bull spirit. Together we will achieve great results, building on the incredible legacy left by Christian Horner during his two decades in charge.”