Red Bull is parting ways with Formula 1 team boss Christian Horner with immediate effect

(dpa) The Formula 1 team Red Bull is parting ways with its team principal Christian Horner, effective immediately. The 51-year-old Briton will be replaced at the racing team of four-time champion Max Verstappen by Frenchman Laurent Mekies. Mekies was previously team principal at the sister team, Racing Bulls.

Horner's contract as team boss actually ran until 2030. Negotiations to terminate the contract are currently underway, Bild reported this morning. Horner had been a controversial figure at Red Bull since the previous year , following an affair involving alleged inappropriate treatment of a female employee .

The sporting crisis of recent months has increased the pressure on Horner, who has led the team for the past 20 years. Last season, the team only barely managed to win another title with serial world champion Verstappen. This year, the Dutchman has only won two of the twelve races, with the competition from McLaren generally superior. This also led to speculation about an early departure for Verstappen.

Amid this situation, according to media reports, Horner was due to make a statement to the company's top management in the coming days. According to Bild, Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff has now made the decision to part ways with Horner.

The former racing driver was promoted to Formula 1's youngest team boss in 2005 by Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz. Horner transformed the once-party racing team into a winning machine. Red Bull won its first titles with German driver Sebastian Vettel. The next World Championship series followed with Verstappen.

But after the departure of design genius Adrian Newey and the death of Red Bull founder Diedrich Mateschitz, things weren't going as planned for the racing team. Horner's position was further weakened by the anger surrounding allegations from an employee who felt she was treated inappropriately by the team boss. Horner was acquitted in an internal investigation, but the case is expected to go to court next year.

Mekie's successor has successfully led the Racing Bulls team so far and is now being promoted. The Frenchman has extensive experience in the premier class of motorsport and served as sporting director at Ferrari from 2018 to 2023.

Previously, he held various positions at the International Automobile Federation (FIA), including Deputy Race Director for Formula 1. Mekies also has extensive experience as a motorsport engineer.

More to follow.