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One Year After Horner: How Red Bull Had to Reinvent Itself
Exactly one year ago, Red Bull Racing parted ways with team principal Christian Horner, a departure that forced the outfit into a complete reorientation both on and off the track.
By Hans van den Broekma - 2026-07-09T14:30:50.000Z - 2 min read
Exactly one year ago today, on July 9, 2025, an announcement shook the Formula 1 world: Christian Horner was leaving as team principal of Red Bull Racing. After twenty years at the helm, during which he shaped two dominant eras, his tenure came to an abrupt end driven by an internal political struggle that had gripped the paddock for months. It was a shock that echoed through the sport for a long time.
Shortly thereafter, the role of team principal was taken over by Laurent Mekies, who faced the tough task of restoring stability after this turbulent period. At the same time, the team embarked on a new technical partnership with Red Bull Ford Powertrains, a key pillar for the future.
On the sporting side, Red Bull enjoyed a remarkable resurgence in 2025. Even as the management storm lingered, Max Verstappen mounted an impressive world championship campaign that season, ultimately coming just two points short of his fifth title.
Despite the sporting successes and a new strategic path, the transition was not without bumps in the road. Parting ways with such a long-standing and influential figure like Horner proved to be a complex operation with far-reaching consequences for internal dynamics.
The aftermath of Horner's departure forced Red Bull into profound self-reflection. One year on, the team continues to consolidate its position with Mekies at the helm and new technical ambitions set to define its future.