Christian Horner was forced to give up one key role by his biggest ally before Red Bull sacking

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Christian Horner was relieved of his duties as team principal at Red Bull last week after 20 years in charge.

The 51-year-old won 14 championships with the Milton Keynes outfit since joining them in 2005. But recent performances have left Red Bull fourth in the constructors’ championship and Max Verstappen slipping further away from the McLarens each weekend.

The atmosphere around the team is tense as Horner follows Adrian Newey, Jonathan Wheatley and Rob Marshall out of the door in recent months. There is intense ‘paranoia’ at Red Bull as staff were questioned over what they told the media amid the speculation.

Horner’s announcement left many staff in tears and there were several minutes of applause. He has given the team incredible success in F1 and held a lot of responsibility with several key roles as well as team principal.

Christian Horner was forced to give up control of marketing at Red Bull by Thai ownership

Operationally, Horner is no longer part of the Red Bull team, but he remains an employee, with his contract running until 2030. As per a report from Bild, the 51-year-old was in charge of the technical and engine departments, as well as marketing for Red Bull and sister team Racing Bulls.

Red Bull may have activated Horner’s ‘performance clause’ after seeing the progress with the 2026 engine. Verstappen’s camp have doubts over the competitiveness of the power unit.

As well as losing the role of team principal, he was also forced to give up his responsibilities with marketing. According to the report, Horner ‘wanted to continue’ with that role, ‘despite the request of his superiors’.

Majority shareholder Chaleo Yoovidhya, who represents the Thai side of the Red Bull ownership, had threatened to break off contact with Horner, eventually leading him to step back. The Thai owners were the Brit’s biggest supporters, having helped him keep his job in 2024.

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Christian Horner is now free to negotiate with other teams after escaping key Red Bull clause

Unsurprisingly, since his exit from Red Bull, Horner has been linked with several teams up and down the paddock as he searches for his next job.

As aforementioned, he is still a Red Bull employee but is no longer part of the operational side of the team. However, Horner does not have to take gardening leave, allowing him to speak with other teams in the paddock.

Flavio Briatore could bring Horner to Alpine, with the pair having a great relationship. It is well known that Ferrari have been in talks with the former Red Bull boss as Fred Vasseur faces pressure to keep his job.

But it may not be a popular move in Maranello. Lewis Hamilton may consider leaving Ferrari if Horner joins, says Will Buxton, seeing as Vasseur was a key reason for him moving from Mercedes.