OT SENSATION: RED BULL ‘SACK’ HORNER!

Christian Horner has been sacked by Red Bull with immediate effect after 20 years as team principal of the Formula 1 team.

Horner has been in charge of Red Bull since 2005, leading them to six Constructors and eight Drivers' Championships.

Laurent Mekies has been appointed as CEO of Red Bull Racing, stepping up from the Racing Bulls team.

"We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years," said Red Bull managing director Oliver Mintzlaff.

"With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking, he has been 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 history."

Horner has overseen two periods of dominance by Red Bull in Formula 1, with Sebastian Vettel and the team winning four consecutive drivers' and constructors' championships from 2010-2013 and Max Verstappen winning the last four drivers' championships from 2021-2024. Red Bull were also constructors' champions in 2022 and 2023.

Horner has faced a turbulent last 18 months on and off the track.

Allegations of inappropriate behaviour made against him in February 2024 by a female colleague were dismissed following an appeal last summer. Horner denied the accusations throughout.

Horner's last race in charge was Sunday's British GP at Silverstone, where Verstappen started on pole position but finished fifth after a spin in the wet.

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We knew there was trouble behind the scenes at Red Bull but the timing of this makes me suspect that Max Verstappen is closer to a move away than ever

I’m not a Max ‘fan’ by some distance, but he is a talent they don’t need to lose; particularly when you look at the performances of his teammates over the years

For me, apart from Max’ inability to see his own faults, the underlying issue is his father, Jos, who appears to be living his former life through his more talented son

I remember Jos as no more than a ‘competent’ F1 driver, who showed occasional speed and lacked consistency

Interesting time ahead in that garage!

Max is right up there with some of the greats, and even given his car this year is a far way behind the front runners, he’s keeping up with them.

It’s a strange one though, having sacrificed losing the likes of Newey, they stood by Horner only to now let him go. There must be more to it.

It’s nice to see team orders not being used at McLaren, great for us fans but if they aren’t careful could bite them in the ass if Red Bull pull their fingers out like they did last year at midway

There’s a lot of issues at RB, and ultimately it stems from Jos.

He’s always sticking his nose in where it isn’t needed.

Seems like things have been far from perfect within Red Bull for ages. Losing Adrian Newey was massive, then you’ve got a team that’s clearly centred around MV too - the second seat there is a poison chalice tbh.

Wasn’t it rumoured last season, that the rumours about Horner were leaked by the Verstappen camp?

The fact Horner has now gone makes me think that Max will now stay, looks like Jos has got his way.

Gerry gets honer headline