Red Bull CEO Explains Decision to Part Ways with Christian Horner
Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff explains the dismissal of Team Principal Christian Horner was a necessary change, stating the team could not rely on past success amid a performance slump. He called the difficult decision a professional need to "start a new chapter," which has since seen a form turnaround under new boss Laurent Mekies.
Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff has publicly detailed the rationale behind the team's decision to dismiss long-serving Team Principal Christian Horner earlier this season. Mintzlaff emphasized the move was a necessary step to address a performance decline, asserting the organization could not rely solely on past successes for future results.
Why it matters:
The dismissal of a team principal with Horner's record—six Drivers' and five Constructors' Championships since 2005—signals a significant cultural and strategic shift within one of Formula 1's most successful modern operations. It underscores the relentless performance pressure at the top of the sport, where even recent glory is not enough to guarantee job security amid a competitive slump.
The details:
- The decision was made following a rough patch in form for the team, notably after the British Grand Prix.
- Mintzlaff rejected the characterization of the move as a "risk," stating the leadership was "100% behind this decision" because "we knew we had to do something."
- He clarified his management philosophy, stating, "I'm not a so-called 'hire-and-fire manager', someone who just fires people," implying the decision was deliberative and not impulsive.
- While acknowledging Horner's "fantastic track record" and the appreciation everyone at Red Bull holds for his achievements, Mintzlaff framed the change as a professional necessity: "You can't keep relying on history, and we felt it was time to turn the page and start a new chapter."
- He confirmed the decision was difficult but not made overnight, indicating a period of internal evaluation.
What's next:
The post-Horner era, under new team principal Laurent Mekies, has already shown promise with a strong turnaround in form that saw Max Verstappen narrowly miss a fifth consecutive title by just two points. The explanation from Mintzlaff puts clear, public pressure on the new leadership to continue this upward trajectory and validate the difficult decision to part ways with a defining figure of the team's history. The focus is now squarely on building a new chapter of success without the architect of the old one.