1. A Sudden Split — July 9, 2025

On July 9, 2025, Red Bull Racing made a high-profile announcement: Christian Horner, team principal and CEO since 2005, has been relieved of all operational duties, effective immediately. The move concludes his two-decade leadership, during which the team became a dominant force in Formula One.

2. Passing the Torch — Laurent Mekies Steps In

Red Bull confirmed that Laurent Mekies, previously head of their sister team Racing Bulls, will assume the role of CEO and team principal. Mekies officially takes charge during the Belgian Grand Prix, marking a new era for the Milton Keynes outfit.

3. Horner’s Legacy: A Championship Standard

Over 20 years, Horner led Red Bull Racing to six Constructors’ Championships, eight Drivers’ Championships (four with Sebastian Vettel and four with Max Verstappen), along with 124 race wins, 107 pole positions, and 287 podiums. Red Bull’s statement paid tribute:

“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 1.”

4. Cleared of Allegations, but Shadows Remained

In February 2024, Horner was the target of allegations of inappropriate behavior by a female team member. He denied them and was subsequently cleared by an independent internal investigation. However, the scandal continued to cast a pall over his leadership, even though Red Bull maintained the probe was “fair, rigorous, and impartial.”

5. Turbulence On and Off the Track

The timing of the dismissal comes amid several red flags:

• Performance dip: Red Bull currently sits fourth in the constructors standings, having fallen behind rivals like McLaren.
  
  
• Internal resignations: Notable exits include famed technical director Adrian Newey, sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, and aerodynamic boss Rob Marshall.
  
  
• Verstappen tensions: Team star Max Verstappen, who has amassed 165 of Red Bull’s 172 points this season, reportedly holds performance-based exit clauses and has been courted by other teams.

Norwegian analyst Atle Gulbrandsen and others suggest the Horner shake-up could even stabilize Verstappen’s relationship with Red Bull.

6. What Red Bull Says

Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull’s sporting director, and co-owners Chalerm Yoovidhya and Mark Mateschitz, backed the decision. The official company line:

“We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years… Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history.”

7. Next Chapter for Mekies, and Horner?

Laurent Mekies, born April 28, 1977, brings a background in engineering and key roles at Toro Rosso, the FIA, Ferrari, and Racing Bulls. He now faces the twin challenge of reversing Red Bull’s downward trend and securing the loyalty of its top driver amid looming regulatory changes set for 2026.

As for Christian Horner, his future remains open. Despite the circumstances of his departure, he's widely respected and linked to potential opportunities elsewhere, including rumors of interest from Ferrari.

Red Bull concludes its statement with gratitude for Horner’s contributions. The team now faces immediate tests: bridging performance gaps, retaining Verstappen, integrating Mekies’s leadership, and reassuring sponsors and staff during an upheaval. With a major driver and technical overhaul on the horizon, the Belgian Grand Prix may mark more than just the midpoint of the season, it could define a fresh trajectory for Red Bull Racing.