The Formula 1 world had some stunning news Wednesday as Oracle Red Bull Racing fired Christian Horner, who had been the team principal for the past 20 years and had been the man in charge of some legendary championship runs in the sport.
Taking over for Horner will be Alan Permane, a long-standing face in F1 who was previously with Alpine. Laurent Mekies will be the team’s new CEO.
“Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today and has appointed Laurent Mekies as CEO of Red Bull Racing,” Red Bull said in a statement.
After 20 years with the Team, Christian Horner departs Oracle Red Bull Racing as Team Principal and CEO.
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… pic.twitter.com/9SyqjSBvEG
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) July 9, 2025
Here’s a look at the impressive numbers Horner had during his time with Red Bull, which including numerous championships with Lewis Hamilton and more recently with Max Verstappen.
20 years, 14 titles 🏆
An incredibly successful partnership comes to an end#F1 @redbullracing pic.twitter.com/av6BkXMjRQ
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 9, 2025
F1 fans had lots of reactions to that news:
There is a chance by the end of this year, almost everyone in this photo will be gone from Red Bull
Christian Horner – Gone
Adrian Newey – Gone
Jonathan Wheatley – Gone
Sergio Perez – Gone
Max Verstappen – TBDWe just saw an F1 empire suffer a slow, painful death. pic.twitter.com/3hK1g5LHYR
— Daniel Valente 🏎️ (@F1GuyDan) July 9, 2025
No 2 ways around it. Either Max is already leaving or he’s on board with a rebuild… https://t.co/1jBQSGzlJb
— Flux Capacitor (@fourthvision) July 9, 2025
Toto Wolff right now after hearing the news of Christian Horner getting sacked pic.twitter.com/wtREm2QAcw
— Habitual Line Stepper (@TheBadGuyChapo) July 9, 2025
christian horner opening twitter to see everyone celebrating his downfall pic.twitter.com/9xP1gWItI6
— éirinn 🦦 (@h2oproofteabag) July 9, 2025
drive to survive directors seeing that Christian Horner is leaving Red bull pic.twitter.com/pDWKNC79tp
— carol *☆⁵⁵ (@55_csainz) July 9, 2025
IMAGINE getting into f1 after watching f1 movie and you have British Grand Prix as your first gp and then Christian Horner is fired from redbull after 20 goddamn years ?!?!
this sport is SERVING y’all pic.twitter.com/0sxuEj2oC2
— Ru 🍓 (@heart4VER) July 9, 2025
How it feels being on Twitter during the Christian Horner sacked announcement pic.twitter.com/JAYTbKZU5R
— alison 💌🪩 (@sunshinemick47) July 9, 2025
New F1 fans who have just started watching after watching the movie have just witnessed the chaos of the British Grand Prix, a Nico Hulkenberg podium and Christian Horner getting fired all in the span of 3 days
— cat 🦕 (@mccooking481) July 9, 2025
Hurts more from the official account 🫤💔 https://t.co/NRdF7Pvi71
— Clostebol Fan 🏴 (@dangerklll) July 9, 2025
