Christian Horner reveals what led up to his 'abrupt and brutal' Red Bull F1 exit

Christian Horner, the former CEO and team principal of Red Bull Racing, has revealed the reasons behind his abrupt and brutal exit from the Formula 1 team in July 2025. Horner, who had been with the company for 20 years, was replaced by Laurent Mekies.

During a panel discussion at the Autosport Business Exchange in New York, Horner acknowledged that the timing of his departure was abrupt and brutal. However, he felt that significant changes were occurring within the company since the passing of its founder, Dietrich Mateschitz, at the end of 2022. Mateschitz, who was essentially the "power behind the throne," had made all the major decisions and was integral to the team's success.

Horner explained that as the company evolved and sought to bring more control back to the head office, it became increasingly different from the autonomy he and the team had enjoyed in Milton Keynes. While the team recognized the changes as inevitable, they also felt that the shift in dynamics was a challenge to replace Mateschitz, who essentially ran the show.

Despite the challenges, Horner maintained a positive outlook on his time at Red Bull. He reflected on the team's achievements, including six constructors championships and eight drivers championships. Horner credited his teammates, including Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, who both became four-time champions with Red Bull, as well as the brilliant and dedicated people who worked tirelessly to achieve remarkable results.

Horner expressed pride in his accomplishments at Red Bull and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with such remarkable drivers and colleagues.