Liputan6.com, Jakarta Shocking news has come from the world of Formula 1 (F1).
Christian Horner, a figure synonymous with the success of the Red Bull Racing team, was officially dismissed from his position as team principal and CEO in July 2025.
This dismissal ends a leadership era that began in 2005, during which Horner successfully led Red Bull to become one of the most dominant teams on the grid.
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Christian Edward Johnston Horner, born November 16, 1973, is a British former racing driver and motorsports executive. He was known for his mastery of team strategy and his ability to develop young talent.
Under his leadership, Red Bull Racing won numerous world championships, cementing its place in F1 history.
But what caused the end of this glorious era?
Horner's dismissal certainly raises many questions. Factors such as declining team performance, growing internal tensions, the resignation of several key figures, and allegations of inappropriate behavior have been highlighted.
Let's delve deeper into the reasons behind the end of Christian Horner's journey at Red Bull Racing.
Reasons for Christian Horner's Dismissal
Although the details of the allegations of inappropriate behavior against Christian Horner have not been officially disclosed, the case is still under legal proceedings.
A trial is scheduled for January 2026.
However, in addition to these allegations, several other factors are suspected to have contributed to Horner's dismissal.
The team's declining performance in recent seasons is a major concern.
While still achieving victories, Red Bull Racing's dominance is not as strong as it was during the Vettel era or the early Verstappen era.
Internal tensions within the team are also reportedly growing, possibly stemming from disagreements over team development strategy or other management issues.
The resignation of several key team figures also indicates internal problems.
The combination of these factors, coupled with the allegations of inappropriate behavior, ultimately led to the decision to dismiss Christian Horner from Red Bull Racing.
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Christian Horner Success With Red Bull Racing
During his tenure, Christian Horner has led Red Bull Racing to numerous impressive achievements.
These include six World Constructors' Championship titles between 2010 and 2023. The team has also won eight World Drivers' Championship titles.
Four of these titles were won consecutively by Sebastian Vettel (2010-2013), and four more consecutively by Max Verstappen (2021-2024).
In addition to the championship titles, Red Bull Racing has also recorded 124 Grand Prix wins, a record that makes Horner the team principal with the second-highest number of victories in F1 history, after Ron Dennis.
Furthermore, Red Bull Racing has also recorded 107 pole positions and 287 podium finishes under Horner's leadership.
This success demonstrates Christian Horner's significant influence in building and developing Red Bull Racing into a dominant force in the F1 world.
Christian Horner's Replacement and the Future of Red Bull Racing
Following the dismissal of Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing appointed Laurent Mekies as its new CEO.
Mekies previously served as racing director at Ferrari. Mekies' appointment is expected to bring a breath of fresh air and a new strategy to Red Bull Racing.
Despite the loss of a key figure like Horner, Red Bull Racing still has great potential to continue competing at the highest level of F1.
With strong financial backing, promising young talent, and a sophisticated infrastructure, the team has everything it needs for future success.
However, Mekies' challenges are not easy.
He must maintain team stability, overcome internal issues, and develop an effective strategy to compete with rival teams like Mercedes and Ferrari.
The future of Red Bull Racing in the post-Horner era will be very interesting to watch.
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