F1: Christian Horner Removed as Red Bull Racing Boss in a Shocking Move

Christian Horner’s time at Red Bull Racing has come to an abrupt end after 20 years, bringing down the curtain on one of Formula 1’s most enduring leadership stories. Since 2005, Horner has been the face of Red Bull’s success, guiding the team to six constructors' and eight drivers' titles. But a recent controversy, allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a female employee, lingered despite his being cleared by an internal probe. That cloud, it seems, never fully lifted. His exit not only closes a chapter for Red Bull but also for F1, as Horner was the longest-serving team principal on the grid. Under his watch, the team dominated during two major eras, with Sebastian Vettel and later Max Verstappen. But cracks have started to show.

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Key technical minds like Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley have left, and on track, the results are slipping. The team lost the constructors’ title last year and is struggling to keep up with McLaren this season.

Things haven’t been calm behind the scenes either. The last 18 months have been stormy for Horner. After the internal probe, Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, openly demanded Horner’s exit, adding fuel to an already fiery situation. Reports of internal power struggles between Horner’s camp and the team’s Austrian base added further strain. Now, with Horner gone, Red Bull faces a period of big change and big decisions.

One of the biggest questions now is how Max Verstappen will respond. He’s been clear about the importance of trust and loyalty to the people around him. With Red Bull no longer the fastest car and McLaren turning up the heat, Verstappen’s future suddenly looks less certain. If he chooses to walk away, it could shake Red Bull even more than Horner’s exit has.

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Stepping in to steady the ship is Laurent Mekies, moving over from Racing Bulls. He has a lot on his plate, from solving car performance issues to keeping Verstappen on board. For Red Bull, this is more than just a leadership change; it’s a reset. What comes next could redefine their place in Formula 1.