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Horner says Red Bull removal ‘came as a shock’
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says his departure from the operational side of the team was communicated to him on Tuesday evening and came as a shock.
Horner has been removed as team principal and CEO with immediate effect, with a Red Bull statement confirming the change on Wednesday morning. The 51-year-old has been in charge of the team since its creation to enter Formula 1 in 2005, but has been replaced by former Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies.
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“Yesterday I was informed by Red Bull that, operationally, I will no longer be involved with the business or the team moving forward from after this gathering,” Horner said in footage secured by Sky Sports. “I will still remain employed by the company, but operationally, the baton will be handed over. And that obviously came as a shock to myself, but what I've had time to do is to reflect over the last 12 hours or so.
“I wanted to stand in front of all of you to break this news, and just express my gratitude to each and every single member of the team that has given so much during the last 20 and a half years that I've been here.
“When I arrived 20 years ago, with a few less gray hairs, I walked into a team, I didn't know what to expect. But I was immediately welcomed. And out of two rundown buildings, we started to build what became a powerhouse in Formula 1.
“Watching and being part of this team has been the biggest privilege in my life. Seeing the team…” Horner began, before becoming emotional and being drowned out by applause.
Red Bull Racing’s only official statement since the news broke from the parent company Red Bull GmbH has been to confirm Mekies will take on the dual role that Horner had of CEO and team principal, having only been named CEO earlier in the day.
Chris Medland
While studying Sports Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire, Chris managed to talk his way into working at the British Grand Prix in 2008 and was retained for three years before joining ESPN F1 as Assistant Editor. After three further years at ESPN, a spell as F1 Editor at Crash Media Group was followed by the major task of launching F1i.com’s English-language website and running it as Editor. Present at every race since the start of 2014, he has continued building his freelance portfolio, working with international titles. As well as writing for RACER, his broadcast work includes television appearances on F1 TV and as a presenter and reporter on North America's live radio coverage on SiriusXM.
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