The Full Story of Christian Horner's Departure from Red Bull
Laurent Mekies, hailing from sister team Racing Bulls, was swiftly appointed as Horner's successor. His promotion marks the start of a broader leadership restructuring, which includes Alan Permane stepping up at Racing Bulls.
Red Bull's form has plummeted in 2025: they are fourth in the Constructors' standings, trailing McLaren by 288 points, and Max Verstappen is 69 points adrift of the Drivers' Championship leader despite securing two wins so far.
Once dominant—winning one of the last 26 Grands Prix—Red Bull's RB21 now suffers from limited performance windows, strategic missteps, and poor pitstop execution following key departures such as Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley.
Mekies—who impressed heading Racing Bulls—now leads Red Bull through a turbulent period. While respected internally, he faces the dual tasks of restoring team morale and managing a tricky 2026 regulatory transition alongside the critical Ford‑engine project.
Max Verstappen is under contract until 2028 but has reportedly considered deferring to Mercedes if Red Bull fails to regain competitiveness. Horner's exit is widely seen as a last-ditch effort to secure his loyalty, though there's no guarantee he will stay.
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