More Red Bull employees employed by and close to Christian Horner sacked as F1 fallout continues

News.com.au

3 days ago

Red Bull F1 team boss Christian Horner's allies have followed him out the door after he was sensationally sacked on Wednesday, with a massive payday to come.
The Sun has revealed several senior staffers at the F1 team were fired along with Horner, Red Bull's only even team principal, whose announcement he would be dumped from his role after more than 20 years with the F1 powerhouse shocked motorsport.
Horner's contract was set to expire in 2030, with a salary of more than $18.5 million a year.
With over four years remaining, he could be set to receive a whopping $74 million in payouts, however nothing has yet been confirmed.
It was revealed employees close to the Red Bull boss and many who had been appointed to their roles by Horner were told to follow him out, leaving Horner to announce the news in an emotional speech.
'I was informed by Red Bull that operationally, I would no longer be involved with the business or the team moving forward,' Horner told his team.
'It came as a shock to myself.
'I've had a chance to reflect over the last 12 hours and wanted to stand in front of all of you to break this news and to express my gratitude to each and every single member of the team that has given so much during the last 20-and-a-half years.
'Watching and being part of this team has been the biggest privilege of my life.'
He received a standing ovation from engineers and designers before shedding a tear, saying he was proud of their success.
Horner has been instrumental to Red Bull's success since entering F1, leading them through two dominant periods and helping Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen to four world championships each in his time.
The fallout of losses atop Horner's produces a predicament for the Red Bull team.
'A number of staff had been brought in by Christian, and when he was told to go, they were too,' a source said.
'Some of them had a very close relationship with Christian, which has proved to be a double-edged sword.'
Horner has since been replaced by Laurent Mekies, the French team principal of Red Bull's sister team, Racing Bulls.
In a statement, Red Bull said: 'After 20 years with the Team, Christian Horner departs Oracle Red Bull Racing as Team Principal and CEO. We thank him for his tireless and exceptional work. He has been instrumental in building this Team into one of the most successful in F1, with eight Drivers' Championships and six Constructors' Championships.
'Thank you for everything Christian, you will forever remain an important part of our team's history.'
The move was reportedly made after one of Horner's biggest supporters — and the most powerful figure in the organisation — buckled under mounting pressure to swing the axe.
Horner's position had always previously been protected by Red Bull majority shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya. That seems to have changed after a number of high-stake meetings in recent weeks.
Horner previously survived accusations of inappropriate behaviour towards a colleague – and was twice cleared in internal investigations of wrongdoing.
Allegations of inappropriate behaviour made against him in February 2024 by a female team member were dismissed following an appeal last summer.