Christian Horner was willing to make the biggest sacrifice to ensure he went out on his own terms at Red Bull

Follow us on Google Discover

Christian Horner spent 20 years as team principal of Red Bull Racing before his immediate dismissal from the team in July.

The explicit reason is yet to be given by Red Bull, with the announcement of Laurent Mekies taking over the role coming minutes after the sacking.

Martin Brundle has claimed to have the reason why Horner was sacked by Red Bull after speaking to sources within Max Verstappen‘s camp, debunking rumours that he was forced out by the Dutchman.

The bombshell caused quite the stir within the Red Bull factory as well, with some team members reportedly unhappy with the ‘dismissive’ nature of the sacking due to the success that Horner had brought the team over the years.

READ MORE: All to know on sacked Red Bull team principal Christian Horner with net worth

Christian Horner would have been willing to leave at the end of the season instead of being immediately dismissed

A report from The Times states that sources ‘close’ to Horner suggested the 51-year-old would have been willing to depart the team he spent 20 years leading at the end of the 2025 season under the guise of it being a mutual decision rather than the ‘ignominy’ of being sacked.

The decision would have appeased not only Horner but those loyal to him within the team due to the success he brought to the Red Bull team since their humble beginnings in the sport in 2005.

Instead, the shareholder-approved decision for an immediate dismissal of the team principal and CEO was delivered in a hotel room by managing director Oliver Mintzlaff and Helmut Marko.

The decision came as a shock, not just to the F1 world, but to key partners of the team who had built close relationships with Horner over his 20-year tenure. Some reportedly learned of the sacking through media outlets, which they were ‘understood’ to be unhappy about.

Oliver Hughes and Paul Smith, both key members of the Red Bull leadership team as well as staunch allies of the 51-year-old, were also sacked on the same day. Witnesses saw them being ‘escorted out’ of the factory following Horner’s dismissal.

READ MORE: Who is Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko? Everything to know

What is next in F1 for Christian Horner?

A number of teams have emerged to be interested in taking on Horner in some sort of management role in the future.

His 20-year tenure at Red Bull saw the team win eight drivers’ championships as well as six constructors’ championships, marking them as one of the most formidable teams on the grid since 2010.

During the build-up to the Belgian Grand Prix, Pierre Gasly made a prediction on where he thinks Horner will be seen next within F1 amid links to join Alpine.

The Renault Group is said to be interested in selling a stake in the Alpine F1 team, which could be right up Horner’s street if he doesn’t want his superiors to have the option of ousting him whenever they feel like it.