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Zak Brown: Max Verstappen at Mercedes would be scary (0:59)
Zak Brown speaks about Max Verstappen's potential switch to Mercedes from Red Bull. (0:59)
Nate SaundersJul 9, 2025, 05:24 AM ET
Christian Horner has been sacked by Red Bull after 20 years as team principal, the team confirmed on Wednesday.
Horner has been in charge of F1's Red Bull team since 2005 and oversaw its dominant runs at the start of the 2010s and the current decade.
The news comes a year after Horner kept his role following an internal sexual misconduct investigation stemming from allegations from a former Red Bull Racing employee.
That saga only deepened political rifts which followed the death of Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022.
Horner had a much-publicised falling out with Jos Verstappen, father of Max -- the Verstappens are closely aligned with Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko.
The last year also saw legendary technical director Adrian Newey leave for Aston Martin.
Former Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies has been promoted to CEO of Red Bull Racing.
Under Horner, Red Bull won eight drivers' championships and six constructors' championships.
The team has claimed all of its 124 grand prix victories under his leadership.
However, Red Bull has fallen off the pace this season and superstar driver Max Verstappen has been vocal about his frustrations with the car.
Verstappen's future with the team has also been thrown into doubt, with Mercedes monitoring the status of exit clauses in his contract related to performance.
Horner's own future had been the subject of speculation.
Last month, he denied reports he had been sounded out by Ferrari chairman John Elkann about potentially replacing the under-fire Fred Vasseur.
Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO of the wider Red Bull company's Corporate Projects and Investments, said: "We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years.
"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."
