Red Bull Ousts Longest-Serving Boss Horner Amid Insider Power Struggle

Christian Horner, after two decades leading Red Bull Racing, was abruptly removed from his roles as CEO and team principal amid reports of internal conflicts and a power struggle within the team. Former F1 driver and reporter Martin Brundle and ex-FIA steward Johnny Herbert suggested that leaks and complaints from Max Verstappen's camp, particularly from his father Jos Verstappen, who clashed with Horner over a 2024 inappropriate behavior allegation (from which Horner was cleared), played a significant role in Horner's ousting. Horner was informed of his dismissal in a London hotel by Red Bull’s CEO Oliver Mintzlaff and senior advisor Helmut Marko, following meetings with key stakeholders who were reportedly dissatisfied with Horner's lack of involvement in broader organizational areas. Despite the turmoil, Red Bull remains competitive in F1, with Max Verstappen still performing strongly, though the team sits lower than expected in the standings this season. Horner has denied interest in joining Ferrari, emphasizing his commitment to Red Bull, while speculation continues about his future in Formula 1, including potential roles similar to that of Mercedes’ Toto Wolff. Laurent Mekies has taken over Horner's responsibilities for the remainder of the season as Red Bull seeks stability moving forward.