Oracle Red Bull Racing has parted ways with its longtime Formula 1 Team Principal Christian Horner, the team announced July 9.
Horner and Red Bull worked together for 20 years in a partnership that led to eight F1 drivers’ titles.
“We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years,” Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull’s chief executive for corporate projects and investments, said in a release. “With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking, he has been instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful and attractive teams in Formula 1. Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history.”
Laurent Mekies of the Racing Bulls sister team will replace Horner as chief executive of Red Bull.
Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda are Red Bull’s current drivers. Verstappen has two wins on the season, while Tsunoda’s best result is ninth.
Ferrari will be his next stop
Fred is under the gun, so that would not be a surprise. Moving to Italy might be an issue for the family, but not undoable.
Will be interesting to see whether Verstappen leaves RBR after this year, assuming the team performance clauses allow him to do so.
If he leaves, seems safe to assume this was the last straw for Horner.
If he stays, seems safe to assume he pushed to remove Horner.
Interpersonal issues aside, Horner’s record is quite impressive. Still, it seems he has guided RBR down a developmental dead end with the current car, and arguably the best car designer in F1 recently left under his watch. I hope RBR rights the ship, as having a team which is not an actual manufacturer competing at or near the top is good for the sport.