Red Bull Racing has announced the shocking departure of Christian Horner, their long-serving team principal, with immediate effect. Horner, who has been with the team since its Formula 1 debut in 2005, leaves behind a legacy of success that includes eight Drivers’ Championships and six Constructors’ Championships.
The 51-year-old Briton was the longest-serving team principal in the sport, but Red Bull has struggled this season, sitting fourth in the Constructors’ Championship standings with 172 points, 288 points behind current leaders McLaren.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Red Bull confirmed, “Christian Horner has been released from his operational duties effective immediately. Laurent Mekies has been appointed CEO of Red Bull Racing, while current racing director Alan Permane will step into the role of team principal.”
Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO of Corporate Projects and Investments at Red Bull, thanked Horner for his 20 years of service, saying, “Christian has done exceptional work leading the team to incredible success. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
Red Bull’s Leadership Changes and Future Vision
The Team can confirm that Laurent Mekies has been appointed to the role of CEO and Team Principal of the Team with immediate effect 🤝 pic.twitter.com/hD4WdC1feS
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) July 9, 2025
Laurent Mekies, now CEO of Red Bull Racing, expressed his excitement about the team’s future:
“It has been an incredible journey to help build Racing Bulls from the ground up. The team spirit is unmatched, and I’m confident this is just the beginning. Alan Permane is the perfect choice to lead the team forward. He knows this organization inside and out and has been a crucial part of our success.”
Alan Permane’s promotion to team principal marks a new chapter for Red Bull Racing as they look to regain their competitive edge.
Red Bull’s Recent Struggles in Formula 1
Red Bull has faced challenges this season, with four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen securing only two wins out of 12 races. Verstappen currently sits third in the Drivers’ Championship standings, adding to the pressure on the team.
Horner’s departure also comes after a period of controversy, including allegations of misconduct made by a female employee last year. Horner denied the claims and was cleared after an investigation, but the situation fueled questions about his future within the team.
A Legacy of Success but a Challenging Season Ahead
Christian Horner’s contributions to Red Bull Racing cannot be overstated. Under his leadership, the team became a dominant force in Formula 1, consistently competing at the highest level. However, with the team’s recent struggles, this leadership shake-up signals Red Bull’s intent to adapt and rebuild for future success.
As Red Bull Racing moves forward with Laurent Mekies and Alan Permane at the helm, fans and analysts will be closely watching to see how the team performs in the remainder of the season and beyond.
