Prior to Wednesday, Horner had served as the only team principal Red Bull had ever had since it joined the grid in 2005, earning 124 victories, 107 pole positions, 287 podiums, eight drivers' world championships and six constructors' championships. Horner will be replaced by Laurent Mekies as CEO and team principal.

Huge news came out of Formula 1 on Wednesday as Red Bull Racing announced it had fired team principal Christian Horner after 20 years and 14 championships. Max Verstappen has become the best F1 driver in recent years, winning the last four drivers' titles, all with Horner in charge.

Horner's departure comes after Verstappen qualified on pole for the British Grand Prix despite a car that he fought all weekend. Verstappen was passed for the lead by Oscar Piastri early in the race and spun from second on a wet restart before coming back to finish fifth.

The move would be the biggest in F1 since Lewis Hamilton joined the Silver Arrows, but similar rumors have gone nowhere in the past.

Red Bull Formula 1 team principal Christian Horner expects Verstappen back in the fold for 2026, but the winds of change are blowing.

After days of speculation he might leave Red Bull for Mercedes, Max Verstappen got a closer look at a Mercedes car than he wanted.