Horner settles for less on the promise of a return to F1

Christian Horner has officially left Red Bull with a reduced exit package that allows him to return to Formula One next year. What precisely the settlement is remains unclear. But evidently he agreed to go for less on the understanding that he can return to the sport any time.

Horner’s departure marks the end of a career at the team that yielded eight drivers’ and six constructors’ world titles. First they were with Sebastian Vettel and then Max Verstappen. He served as team chief from Red Bull’s inception on the Formula One grid in 2005. At that time he was 31.

Horner secured the services of Adrian Newey as technical director in 2006 and 124 GP wins later, the rest is history. During this time Verstappen took dominant championship wins in 2022 and 2023, prior to a dip in 2024 thanks to a revitalised McLaren. This decline coincided with Newey’s departure, though Verstappen still managed to win the 2024 title. But the slump continued into 2025, with only two wins before Horner left. 

Still, he will be remembered as one of the most successful F1 team bosses in history. That’s despite him presiding over an 18-month period of decline recently.

His tenure ended after the British GP on July 9, and he was evidently the victim of a power struggle. There was also the suggestion of sexual misconduct but he was twice cleared of the allegation.

Laurent Mekies, a French engineer, has taken over Horner’s role. And Red Bull’s results have been impressive lately, with Verstappen taking victories in Monza two weeks ago. He also won in Azerbaijan this past weekend.

That apparently followed the introduction of a new floor design. And it reflects the influence of Menkies who has refocused the technical department.

Meantime, Horner wants to return to the sport but not as a team principal, rather a shareholder with ultimate authority, like Toto Wolff at Mercedes.

Despite the misconduct allegations, he could be appealing to a wealthy investor who wants to make a success of an F1 team.