Christian Horner’s name has finally disappeared from Red Bull’s UK companies, officially closing the chapter on one of Formula 1’s longest and most successful leadership runs. The move comes a month after his shock removal as team principal and CEO — a decision that shook the paddock just days after the British Grand Prix.
The July sacking wasn’t just about changing faces at the top. Behind the scenes, tensions had been brewing between Red Bull’s Austrian parent company and its UK operations. Shareholders sought to rein in Horner’s wide-reaching influence, replacing him with former Racing Bulls boss Laurent Mekies in a narrower, more focused role.
While Horner’s operational duties ended immediately, on paper he still held directorships in four key entities — including Red Bull Racing, Red Bull Technology, and Red Bull Powertrains. That changed this week when filings at Companies House confirmed his termination from all four, hinting that severance negotiations had been settled.
Under Horner’s leadership, Red Bull claimed eight drivers’ championships — four each for Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen — plus six constructors’ titles. His sharp strategic instincts and ability to build winning teams turned Red Bull into a powerhouse.
Yet, controversy shadowed his final year. Allegations of inappropriate behaviour, from which he was cleared, deepened divisions with the Austrian side of the business, which had grown wary of the power he’d accumulated.
With Horner gone, Laurent Mekies now leads the main team, while Alan Permane takes charge at Racing Bulls. Whether Red Bull’s winning machine can thrive without its long-time architect is a storyline that will dominate the lead-up to F1’s 2026 regulations.
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For now, Horner’s departure closes a glittering but turbulent era — leaving fans to wonder if this was truly about structure, or a clash of personalities at the very top.
