David Croft shares what Christian Horner did when leaving Red Bull’s factory after ‘hugely emotional’ goodbye

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Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner said goodbye to the team he created his Formula 1 legacy with on Wednesday.

After 20 years at the helm of the team based in Milton Keynes, Christian Horner was dismissed, with Laurent Mekies named as his successor by Red Bull.

Red Bull currently sit fourth in the constructors’ championship, with Max Verstappen having scored the majority of their points.

Unfortunately, for a team of Red Bull’s expectations, Horner’s outfit have underperformed in 2025.

Yuki Tsunoda has finished last in back-to-back races, and Red Bull have been outscored by Sauber in recent Grand Prix.

This led to Horner losing his job at the halfway stage in the 2025 campaign, with several crucial decisions on the horizon.

Mekies now needs to oversee the successful implementation of Red Bull’s 2026 plans, with a new power unit needing to be finalised and a decision on a second driver to be made.

Verstappen is still of interest to Mercedes, and that’s the biggest crisis that Mekies and Red Bull now need to avert with Horner no longer in place.

READ MORE: Know all about Red Bull team principal Christian Horner with net worth to wife

David Croft sees Christian Horner leaving Red Bull factory after ‘emotional goodbye’

Commentator David Croft and reporter Craig Slater were stationed outside Red Bull’s factory after the news of Horner’s departure broke on Wednesday.

Explaining what had happened when the news broke inside the factory, he said: “From those that we’ve managed to speak to, it is a unified sense of disappointment and sadness, and a man that they see has unified their team.

“He was never afraid to sit and have a chat to various people, no matter what they did for the organisation.

“The speech this morning, Christian Horner gave to the factory we understand was hugely emotional and Christian himself was very emotional and broke down on occasion.

“He received a massive ovation at the end of that speech from a workforce that are very loyal to him because he has helped bring success, and bonuses, and world championship glory in terms of 14 world titles during his time as team principal.

“He drove out this morning at 11:25 am. I was stood here waiting for you, Craig [Slater], and he looked fairly impassive, I think, just staring ahead in his car.

“There was no thumbs up, there were no waves, he drove out of the gate, and was here for what now seems to be the final time.”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Red Bull Racing from engine to Ford links

Red Bull post statement on Christian Horner’s exit and shares his greatest F1 achievements

Following the confirmation that Horner had parted ways with the team, Red Bull released a statement on Instagram, thanking the 51-year-old.

It read: “After 20 years with the Team, Christian Horner departs Oracle Red Bull Racing as Team Principal and CEO.

“We thank him for his tireless and exceptional work. He has been instrumental in building this Team into one of the most successful in Formula 1.

“8 Drivers World Championships, 6 Constructors Championships, 124 Wins, 107 Pole Positions, 287 Podium Finishes.

“Thank you for everything Christian, you will forever remain an important part of our team’s history.”

Max Verstappen’s manager has warned that Horner’s exit doesn’t guarantee his future with the team, as Mercedes continue to assess whether they could hire the four-time world champion.

Martin Brundle revealed exactly what Horner told him after being sacked, and it provides an interesting insight into the decision-making process at Red Bull.