Christian Horner sacked by Red Bull. That’s the news shaking the Formula 1 world. After 20 years at the top, Horner is out. Red Bull Racing has made a huge move, replacing him with Laurent Mekies as the new CEO.

This major decision ends Horner’s long and successful run with the team. Fans, drivers, and experts are stunned. Many are asking: why now, and what’s next?

Let’s break it all down in this full update.

Horner’s Long Run with Red Bull

Before we talk about the shake-up, it’s important to know what Horner did for the team.

Christian Horner became team principal of Red Bull Racing in 2005. He was only 31 years old. At that time, Red Bull was a new team with big dreams but no wins. Horner helped turn it into a championship machine.

Under his lead:

• Red Bull won 6 Constructors’ titles
• They also claimed 8 Drivers’ Championships, mostly with Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen
• The team earned 124 Grand Prix wins
• Red Bull became one of the most feared names in Formula 1

Horner’s time at the top wasn’t quiet. He clashed with other team bosses, drivers, and even his own crew. But his results spoke for themselves. Until now.

Why Was Christian Horner Sacked by Red Bull?

So, why was Christian Horner sacked by Red Bull?

It wasn’t just about this season’s results, though those played a part. Red Bull is currently 4th in the Constructors’ standings, behind McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes. That’s a big drop from past years.

But this decision seems to be about more than just points.

In 2024, Horner faced a sexual misconduct probe. He was cleared. But many in the paddock said things didn’t feel right. Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, had public issues with Horner. There were power struggles behind the scenes.

Many believed Horner had too much control. And some top names in Red Bull’s global team were growing unhappy.

One thing is clear: Red Bull wanted a change. And now, they’ve made it.

Laurent Mekies Takes Over as CEO

With Christian Horner sacked by Red Bull, the team needed a new leader. They chose Laurent Mekies.

Who is he?

Mekies has been in Formula 1 for years. He worked with Ferrari as a racing director and then moved to Racing Bulls, Red Bull’s sister team, as team principal.

People in F1 respect Mekies. He’s calm, smart, and focused. He may not be as loud as Horner, but he knows how to run a team.

Red Bull hopes Mekies can:

• Fix the team’s drop in performance
• Calm tensions between the crew and top drivers
• Keep Max Verstappen happy and focused
• Lead a new chapter for Red Bull Racing

What About Max Verstappen?

Any time there’s big news like Christian Horner sacked by Red Bull, the first question is always: what does Max Verstappen think?

Verstappen is Red Bull’s top star. He’s also the biggest name in Formula 1 today. His contract runs for several more years. But lately, there have been rumors. Some say he was thinking about leaving if things didn’t change.

It’s no secret there was tension between Horner and the Verstappen family. Jos Verstappen didn’t hide his feelings. He believed Horner was hurting team unity.

With Horner gone and Mekies in, Red Bull may be trying to make peace. Keeping Verstappen is key to Red Bull’s future. This move could help lock him in for good.

Reactions from the F1 World

When the news broke—Christian Horner sacked by Red Bull—F1 fans, teams, and pundits were shocked.

Martin Brundle, a top F1 analyst, called it “a massive shock but maybe the right call.”

Sky Sports ran the story as breaking news.

Crash.net reported that Red Bull made the move to restore calm in the paddock.

Social media exploded. Some fans cheered. Others were sad. Many had questions.

Even rival teams seemed surprised. But some hinted they saw it coming. Internal issues had been building for months.

What’s Next for Red Bull Racing?

Red Bull still has races to run. The season isn’t over. And now, they’ll do it with a new boss at the top.

Laurent Mekies will take charge starting at the Belgian Grand Prix. He’ll have little time to adjust. Pressure will be high. Every result will be watched closely.

Expect changes:

• New leadership style
• Possible team reshuffling
• Closer focus on driver feedback
• A push to move back up the standings

It’s unclear if Mekies will also serve as team principal or if someone else will be named. One name being talked about is Alan Permane, a former Alpine engineer now at Racing Bulls.

What About Horner Now?

Christian Horner is gone from Red Bull, but not from headlines. He may step away from the sport—or return with a rival team in time.

For now, Red Bull has made its move. The team wants a fresh start.

Fans may debate whether it was the right choice. But the decision is done.

Final Thoughts

Christian Horner sacked by Red Bull. After 20 years, the man who built Red Bull Racing is out.

His time brought wins, drama, and global fame. But in F1, things move fast. Even the best don’t stay forever.

Laurent Mekies now has the keys to one of the biggest teams in the sport. He’ll face pressure from day one. But he has the skill and support to lead.

This is a new era for Red Bull Racing. The next races will show if it was the right call.