Red Bull F1 chief opens up on reasons for Christian Horner sacking

Dr. Helmut Marko and Christian Horner — Photo: © IMAGO

Formula 1

Red Bull chief opens up on reasons for Christian Horner sacking

Horner was let go by the team earlier this month

Graham Shaw Consultant Editor

Digital sports specialist running global brands for 30 years

Monday 28 July 2025 21:00

F1 is still reeling from the news that Red Bull have sacked Christian Horner, with the team experiencing their first ever race weekend free of his immediate influence at the Belgian Grand Prix.

The team made the stunning decision earlier this month, leaving the kind of leadership void the organization has never heretofore experienced.

The Red Bull dominance started to wane in 2024 though with McLaren in particular beginning to make significant inroads into the gap to Verstappen at the front of the grid.

Red Bull dominance is over

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That waning dominance has now completely evaporated in 2025, with the mighty Dutchman now a massive 68 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri and only third in the current standings.

The constructors’ standings tell a similarly miserable story for Red Bull, with the team only fourth - a jaw-dropping 293 points behind runaway leaders McLaren.

According to the team’s long-term senior advisor Dr Helmut Marko, it is through that prism which Horner’s dismissal should be viewed. He provided a football analogy to confirm why it had happened.

Marko on why Horner had to go

He told Kleine Zeitung that Horner’s position at the team was no longer tenable, explaining: It develops in Formula 1 just like in football. If it doesn’t work, the coach has to go.”

Red Bull moved swiftly to replace Horner by bringing in Laurent Mekies from Racing Bulls, starting with this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix at Spa. Marko is optimistic the change will be a successful one.

He said: “The transition has gone very well. Laurent is a people person, he approaches people, and hopefully that will have a positive effect.”

Marko was at pains to point out that Mekies will not have the same wide-ranging role and control at Red Bull that Horner enjoyed after two decades in charge. Instead his focus will be very much on the racing.

“Mekies has already adjusted some details in the simulator preparation. In general, he’s focusing more on the racing and is less involved in other departments,” he revealed.

“It’s crucial that his responsibilities as team principal have been reduced compared to Horner.”

NASCAR Red Bull Max Verstappen McLaren Christian Horner Oscar Piastri