Formula 1 team Red Bull Racing has sacked Christian Horner as the team principal and chief executive after 20 years in charge, it said in a statement Wednesday.
Horner was the longest-serving and among the most successful team leaders in Formula 1 history, having been with Red Bull since its inception in 2005 and leading the team to 124 wins, eight drivers' championships and six constructors' titles.
The sudden firing of Horner is a seismic moment in Formula 1, and it will fuel speculation about the future of its reigning world champion, Max Verstappen.
“From my first race win, to four world championships, we have shared incredible successes,” Verstappen said on Instagram. “Winning memorable races and breaking countless records. Thank you for everything, Christian!”
Verstappen has been courted by rival teams, most notably Mercedes last year. His hopes of winning a fifth world championship this year are fading as the once-dominant Red Bull car has been outpaced by McLaren, whose drivers rank first and second in the championship standings. Verstappen is a distant third and still mathematically in contention, although he has sounded pessimistic about his prospects. He has also declined to discuss his future when reporters have asked about it at recent races.
Verstappen's manager didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment on what Horner's dismissal means for his future.
While the Red Bull team didn't give a reason for Horner’s termination, the statement said he has been released from “his operational duties” with effect from Wednesday. It added that Laurent Mekies, the principal of sister team Racing Bulls, would replace him.
Thanking Horner, Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull’s chief executive of corporate projects and investments, said in the statement that he would “forever remain an important part of our team history.”
“With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking, he has been instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful and attractive teams in Formula 1,” Mintzlaff added.
Horner didn't immediately respond to requests on social media for comment. Red Bull's official statement announcing the news didn't include a comment from him.
Horner was accused of misconduct toward a team employee just over a year ago. An investigation conducted on behalf of the Red Bull company dismissed the allegation, as did a further investigation conducted after the employee appealed the initial ruling, Red Bull said at the time.
Horner oversaw four drivers' titles for Sebastian Vettel and four for Verstappen, along with six constructors’ championships. He stayed in charge throughout the investigation and has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
“Obviously, there’s been an awful lot of coverage surrounding this, but one has to go back to the basis of this. A grievance was raised, it was fully investigated, and it was dismissed. And from there, we move onwards,” Horner said last year.
The team’s form has nonetheless dipped this season, although defending champion Verstappen remains third in the standings and the team is fourth.
