On Tuesday evening, Christian Horner learned that he will be released from his operational tasks as team boss at Red Bull, as Red Bull GmbH formulated on Wednesday in a press release. On Wednesday morning, Horner said goodbye to his workforce in Milton Keynes. And on Wednesday evening he posted his first official statement on Instagram after the Red Bull earthquake in Formula 1.
After an “unbelievable trip over 20 years” he says “with a heavy heart that I loved with all of my heart. Everyone of you, the great people in the factory, was the heart and soul of all what we achieved together,” Horner writes in a very emotional posting, accompanied by a combative photo, which shows him in the winner’s pose.
Horner seemed visibly touched when he had to say goodbye to his team, only twelve hours after he had learned about his release himself. At the end of a mobile phone video that was published via “Sky” and showed his farewell speech, he ranked for words. And he was adopted with applause from his long -time employees and colleagues.
Horner’s statement in the wording
“In victory and defeat we always stood together as a unit, and I will never forget that. It was a privilege to be part of this epic team and to be able to lead it. I am incredibly proud of what we created together. And on all of you,” writes the Brit.
“My thanks also go to our great partners and fans who made it possible to drive races. Your support helped to make the team from his modest beginnings into a Formula 1 powerhouse, with six designer and eight driver titles.”
Horner thanks his opponents
Remarkable: At the end of his posting, Horner set a list of his success as a team leader: six constructors world championships, eight world driver world championships, 124 Grand Prix victories, twelve victories in F1 sprints, 287 podium places, 107 pole positions and 100 fastest racers that Red Bull Racing has reached under his leadership. A legacy that – despite all the controversy – nobody can talk him away.
In the posting, Horner would also like to thank “our rivals. Without you there would be no racing,” he may also address conciliatory words to former team boss colleagues like Mercedes-Nemesis Toto Wolff, without names. “You asked us, driven and thus inspired it, which once seemed unthinkable. The sporting competition has made every victory sweeter, and a chance of further development from every setback.”
“Formula 1 is a sport based on tireless ambition, passion and mutual respect. The rivalries were intense, but the common drive to innovate and set standards, made this trip so special,” said the 51-year-old.
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“It was an honor for me to be part of this extraordinary era of motorsport. I look back with great pride in what has been achieved – and with excitement for what is being prepared for 2026. My respect applies to everyone who has contributed to making the Formula 1 the royal class of motorsport that it is today. Thank you.
Horner stays with Red Bull – but how?
According to official Red Bull information, Horner is released as a team boss, but announced in his farewell speech that the group may be preserved in a different function. It is not known on Wednesday evening whether it will actually be a new job or only paid for a paid vacation until the termination of the contract has been clarified.
It is already officially fixed that Laurent Mekies, previously team boss at the Racing Bulls, Horner’s successor as CEO and team boss at Red Bull Racing. The official statements on Wednesday did not yet show whether this also includes the overall responsibility for Red Bull Technology and Red Bull Powertrains.