‘Didn’t Have the Inkling’: Christian Horner Reveals More Details About His ‘Abrupt’ Red Bull Exit

Christian Horner has recently revealed new details about how he learned of his sacking from the Red Bull Formula 1 team, following an intense period within the team. Following the 2025 British Grand Prix, Horner was relieved of his role as Red Bull Racing CEO and Team Principal, and has now admitted that the news came as a shock to him.

“I didn’t have the inkling it was going to be dealt with so abruptly,” Horner revealed to the F1 media. He added that there was no reason given to him for the termination, other than Red Bull “wanting to go in a different direction” with its leadership.

It wasn’t until Horner “really pushed” and kept asking that there must be a solid reason behind the termination that he was told the decision came because management thought Horner had too much control. “It’s more Christian Horner Racing than Red Bull Racing.”

The news was shared with Horner a day after the 2025 British GP, when he was called for a meeting in London to “discuss marketing strategy.” When he arrived at the office, Horner saw Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff, Helmut Marko, and the company’s Head of HR. They were there, waiting to hand over the press release confirming the termination of the now 52-year-old.

Christian Horner’s Exit Marked a 20-Year Reign

Having joined Red Bull Racing in 2005, Horner oversaw eight Drivers’ Championships and six Constructors’ titles. However, his final 18 months were dominated by internal disagreements, controversy and a significant decline in the team’s competitiveness.

It all began in February 2024, when a female employee of Red Bull accused Horner of inappropriate behavior, including sexual harassment and controlling conduct. Horner was cleared of all accusations following two internal inquiries and an appeal. But the episode brought forward a bitter power struggle within the Red Bull camp, which involved Marko, Horner, Jos Verstappen and some other senior personnel.

The departures of influential figures, most notably legendary designer Adrian Newey and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, further weakened the team’s established leadership structure. Meanwhile, Red Bull’s on-track dominance began fading. After losing the Constructors’ Championship in 2024, the team struggled through the first half of 2025, leaving Max Verstappen increasingly isolated in the fight against McLaren.

Marko subsequently identified the declining performance as a result of the negativity that began in February 2024, and the management therefore decided to let Horner go. Laurent Mekies, who was the team principal of Racing Bulls at the time, was promoted to Horner’s role, closing a remarkable chapter in the team’s history.

Christian Horner’s Final Act As Red Bull Team Principal

In his new autobiography, Drive, Horner detailed that he had decided to fight “fire with fire” amid the continuous public courting of Verstappen. Toto Wolff had continuously tried to bring the Dutch driver to Mercedes and was relentless in his push. There were more dinners, and the public courting was also at an all-time high.

At one point, Flavio Briatore also told Horner that Wolff was convinced that he was going to sign Verstappen. Having previously identified Carlos Sainz as a valid replacement, Horner grew frustrated with Wolff’s antics and turned his attention to George Russell.

The British driver was coming to the end of his contract with Mercedes, and with there being no news of an extension, Horner started courting Russell. He told the driver that he felt it was disrespectful of Wolff to woo Verstappen. Therefore, Russell was almost convinced to join Red Bull. But the driver swap never came to be, as Horner was let go from his role.

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