Christian Horner was once one of the most powerful figures in Formula 1, serving as CEO and team principal of Red Bull Racing for nearly 20 years. Credited with building the team into a championship-winning dynasty, the 51-year-old’s legacy took a dramatic turn in 2025 when he was fired.
“Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today (Wednesday 9 July 2025) and appointed Laurent Mekies as CEO of Red Bull Racing,” a Red Bull spokesperson said in a press release.
From his early racing days to his high-profile exit from Red Bull, discover more about Horner below.
He was the long-time team principal of Red Bull Racing
Horner led Red Bull Racing as team principal and CEO from 2005 until his resignation in 2025. Under his leadership, the team became one of the most successful in modern Formula 1 history, winning multiple constructors’ and drivers’ championships with stars like Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen . His nearly two-decade tenure made him one of the sport’s most prominent figures.
“We would like to thank Christer Horner for his exceptional work over the past 20 years,” said Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull’s CEO of Corporate Projects and Investments, in a statement. “With his tireless commitment, expertise, experience, and innovative thinking, he was instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful and attractive teams in Formula 1. Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team’s history.”
He was also the youngest team principal in F1 history.
When Horner took over Red Bull Racing at just 31 years old in 2005, he became the youngest team principal in Formula 1 history. Despite his youth, he quickly proved himself a strategic and effective leader, helping transform the newly formed team into a championship-winning powerhouse within just a few years.
He was a racing driver before becoming a team principal.
Before taking over as team leader, Horner had a racing career. He competed in Formula Renault and Formula 3000 in the 1990s. In 1997, he founded his own team, Arden International, which competed in Formula 3000. Realizing that his strengths lay in management rather than driving, Horner shifted entirely to team ownership and development.
He is married to Spice Girl Geri Halliwell
Horner married Geri Halliwell – better known as Ginger Spice of the Spice Girls – in May 2015. The couple share a son, Monty , born in 2017.
He faced some controversies
In early 2024, Horner became the subject of an internal investigation at Red Bull Racing following allegations of inappropriate behavior by a female colleague. Red Bull initially cleared Horner after an independent investigation. When the employee appealed the decision, a second investigation confirmed the original findings, and the company again dismissed the allegations.
