A major change is taking place at Oracle Red Bull Racing. The Formula 1 team has announced it has released Christian Horner from his role as CEO and Team Principal, effectively immediately.
The change took place on Wednesday, which Oracle Red Bull Racing confirmed with a statement. The team also noted that Racing Bulls team boss Laurent Mekies will take over for Horner moving forward. Racing Bulls Racing Director Alan Permane will replace Mekies as Team Principal.
"After 20 years with the Team, Christian Horner departs Oracle Red Bull Racing as Team Principal and CEO," the statement said. "We thank him for his tireless and exceptional work.
"He has been instrumental in building this Team into one of the most successful in F1, with eight Drivers' Championships and six Constructors' Championships. Thank you for everything Christian, you will forever remain an important part of our team's history."
From my first race win, to four world championships, we have shared incredible successes. Winning memorable races and breaking countless records. Thank you for everything, Christian! pic.twitter.com/au4XjMqhlH
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) July 9, 2025
Horner has been the head of Oracle Red Bull Racing for 20 years, and he has guided the team from a fledgling organization to a powerhouse. He was in charge for the team's first season in 2005, which led to a seventh-place finish in the championship standings.
The 2009 season featured Sebastian Vettel scoring the team's first pole and first Grand Prix win. Vettel added three more wins while Mark Webber added one. The team then won four consecutive Constructors' titles between 2010-13. Meanwhile, Vettel won four straight World Championships.
2014 through '18 featured Daniel Ricciardo and rising star Max Verstappen contending for occasional wins while the team changed power unit suppliers. 2019 and '20 had Verstappen contending while working with a rotating cast of teammates.
The 2021 season is when Oracle Red Bull Racing flexed its muscles once again. Verstappen won his first World Championship with 10 wins. He then went back-to-back in 2022 after scoring 15 wins. Oracle Red Bull Racing won its first Constructors' title since 2013.
The 20223 and '24 seasons featured more success as Verstappen won 28 combined races and two more World Championships. The team won the Constructors' title in '23.
"From my first race win, to four world championships, we have shared incredible successes," Verstappen posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. "Winning memorable races and breaking countless records. Thank you for everything, Christian!"
The first half of this season has not progressed as expected, which may have contributed to Horner losing his role as CEO and Team Principal. Verstappen only has two wins through 12 races and five podium finishes. He is third in the standings. Once again, the second Oracle Red Bull Racing car has featured multiple drivers with both Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda making starts.