In a candid statement, Red Bull's top executive has broken his silence on the dramatic departure of the team's long-standing Formula 1 chief, Christian Horner.
A Necessary Change for Red Bull Racing
Oliver Mintzlaff, the de facto CEO of Red Bull GmbH, has publicly addressed the decision to remove Christian Horner from his position as team principal in July 2025. Mintzlaff stated the organisation felt compelled to act, citing a fractious team divide and a string of disappointing results as key factors behind the move. He emphasised that the choice, while tough, was essential to allow the team to progress.
"We had to do something," Mintzlaff explained, highlighting the need for Red Bull to "turn the page and start a new chapter." This marks a significant shift for a team that, under Horner's two-decade leadership, clinched an impressive 14 world championships. Mintzlaff acknowledged these past triumphs but stressed the priority was now on future performance rather than historical success.
Allegations and the Path Forward
This decision followed a turbulent period for Horner, who was cleared twice of separate allegations concerning 'inappropriate behaviour'. Mintzlaff's comments suggest the dismissal was not directly linked to those investigations but was a broader strategic call aimed at reuniting the team and halting its competitive decline.
The move coincides with a pivotal moment for Red Bull's engineering ambitions. The team is deep in preparation for the 2026 season, when it will debut its own in-house power unit, moving away from its current partnership. Mintzlaff's leadership appears focused on ensuring a stable and unified outfit is ready for this major technical transition.
What Next for Horner and Red Bull?
As Red Bull looks ahead to its new era, speculation surrounds Christian Horner's next move. Reports strongly link the experienced 51-year-old with a senior role at the Alpine F1 team, which could benefit from his vast experience.
For Red Bull, the post-Horner chapter is now firmly underway. The statement from Mintzlaff, coming months after the July dismissal, serves to draw a definitive line under the controversy and refocus attention on the track. The coming seasons will test whether this difficult decision can restore the team's former dominance in the fiercely competitive world of Formula 1.
