Red Bull Sacks Christian Horner After 20 Years, Laurent Mekies Named Successor

Christian Horner was unexpectedly sacked as Red Bull's team principal after more than 20 years leading the team to multiple Formula 1 championships, including dominant eras with Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. His dismissal followed a period of declining team performance and lingering controversy from a 2024 sexting scandal, despite Horner being cleared of wrongdoing in an official investigation. Horner's exit has shocked many in the F1 community, including former world champion Nigel Mansell, who anticipates Red Bull will struggle competitively in the near term. Laurent Mekies has been appointed as Horner’s replacement, with Alan Permane stepping in as team principal. Meanwhile, Horner is reportedly in talks to join Alpine, potentially acquiring a minority ownership stake with backing from Bernie Ecclestone, signaling his ambition to move into team ownership after his Red Bull tenure. Off the track, Horner's wife, Geri Horner, has faced financial challenges with her book company amid these developments but maintains significant personal wealth.