Christian Horner expressed his surprise at being dismissed as Red Bull’s team principal during an emotional farewell speech at the team’s factory. The 51-year-old learned of his termination on Tuesday after 20 years in the role and addressed his former colleagues at Red Bull’s UK headquarters in Milton Keynes the following day.
Sky Sports News has shared footage of Horner’s farewell, where he became emotional and received a warm response from his co-workers.
Horner remarked, “Yesterday, I was informed by Red Bull that I would no longer be involved in the team’s operations moving forward.” He added, “While I will still be employed by the company, the operational responsibilities will be transferred.” He acknowledged that the news came as a shock and expressed his gratitude for the dedication of his team over the past two decades.
Reflecting on his arrival 20 years ago, Horner noted, “When I started, there were fewer gray hairs. I entered a team filled with uncertainty, but I was welcomed immediately, and we began to build a powerhouse in F1.” He mentioned that being part of the team has been the greatest privilege of his life. Although he will remain on gardening leave until the end of the year, he did not receive any explanation for his dismissal, as Red Bull’s announcement lacked specifics.
As he spoke, Red Bull had yet to confirm Laurent Mekies as his successor, but Horner expressed his confidence in Mekies. “A new CEO will be announced soon, and I fully support him,” Horner stated. He has been instrumental in leading the team through two dominant eras in Formula 1, with championships under Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.
Horner’s departure precedes the introduction of Red Bull’s own engine, set to align with new regulations in 2026. He expressed excitement about the future opportunities for Red Bull Powertrains but lamented not being present to witness the engine’s performance.
Later, Horner took to social media to thank both his team and rivals, stating, “Without our competitors, there would be no racing. You’ve pushed us and made our achievements possible.” He noted that the competition has made every victory more meaningful and highlighted the importance of mutual respect within the sport. He concluded, “It’s been an honor to be part of this remarkable era in motorsport, and I leave with pride in our accomplishments and the future ahead.”
