Latest news with #DriversChampionships
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Christian Horner breaks silence on Red Bull exit after ‘special F1 journey'
Christian Horner has broken his silence after being dismissed by Red Bull during the 2025 F1 season after more than two decades in charge. The former Red Bull team principal's emotional farewell speech at the team's HQ in Milton Keynes was leaked online, with hundreds in attendance giving the 51-year-old a standing ovation after his shock departure. Advertisement And Horner has outlined how he achieved 'accolades we never dreamed possible' and thanked both his team and rivals for enabling 'a special journey,' which included guiding Max Verstappen to four world titles, a partnership the Dutch driver had acknowledged after paying tribute to his former boss. 'After an incredible journey of twenty years together, it is with a heavy heart that today I say goodbye to the Team I have absolutely loved,' Horner said in a statement on social media. 'Every one of you, the amazing people at the factory, have been the heart and soul of everything that we have achieved. Win and lose, every step of the way, we have stood by each other as one and I will never forget that. It's been a privilege being part of and leading this epic Team and I am so proud of our collective accomplishments and you all. 'Thanks to the amazing partners and fans who enabled us to go racing. Your support has helped grow the team from its humble beginnings to an F1 powerhouse that laid claim to six Constructors Championships and eight Drivers Championships. Advertisement 'Equally, thank you to our rivals, with whom there would be no racing at all. You've pushed us, challenged us, and enabled us to achieve accolades we never dreamed possible. The competition has made every victory sweeter and every setback an opportunity to develop and grow. 'Formula 1 is a sport built on relentless ambition, passion, and respect. The rivalries have been fierce, but the mutual drive to innovate and raise the bar is what has made this journey so special. Christian Horner has left Red Bull Racing after 20 years at the helm (Getty) 'It's been an honour to be part of this incredible era of motorsport. I leave with immense pride in what we've achieved and also with what's in the pipeline for 2026 — and huge respect for everyone who's made F1 the pinnacle it is today. Thank You. Christian.' Advertisement Horner then listed his achievements leading Red Bull, including six constructors' championships, eight drivers' championships and 124 victories in total. He added 12 sprint victories, 287 podiums, 107 pole positions and 100 fastest laps, emphasising a dominant run over more than two decades.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Extraordinary comment Christian Horner's mum made about his wedding to Geri
It was confirmed this week that Christian Horner would be leaving his job at F1 after working there for more than two decades The extraordinary comment that Christian Horner's mum made about his wedding to Geri Halliwell has been revealed. Geri first met her now-husband back in 2009 when she was introduced by F1 tycoon Bernie Eccleston. However, it wasn't meant to be at the time as Christian was married to his first wife Beverley Allen and they were hoping have their first child together. But just five years later, Christian and Geri got together just six months after Beverley had their little girl. Despite Geri and Christian now being together, it wasn't smooth sailing to get to where they are. Christian's parents Garry and Sara were reported to be appalled that their son had left Beverley just six months after she had given birth to their longed-for daughter Olivia in October 2013. Christian's parents made their opinion clear when they refused to go to the couple's wedding in May 2015 at Woburn Abbey. The MailOnline reported that a journalist approached Beverley at her Cotswolds home just months after the split to ask if she wanted to comment on Geri being with her man. Beverley politely declined to comment but as the journalist left, he was followed by a woman who called him back to tell him that she and her husband were outraged by how Christian had behaved. She said she would not be attending the wedding, and that woman was Christian's mum Sara. She stuck to her word and they continued to support Beverley until she died at the age of 58 following a two-year battle with eye cancer. This comes as it was revealed this week that Christian had left his F1 job after 20 years. F1 are yet to explain the reason why he had left. Christian took to his Instagram to break his silence and release a statement on the matter. He wrote: "After an incredible journey of twenty years together, it is with a heavy heart that today I say goodbye to the Team I have absolutely loved. "Every one of you, the amazing people at the factory, have been the heart and soul of everything that we have achieved. Win and lose, every step of the way, we have stood by each other as one and I will never forget that. It's been a privilege being part of and leading this epic Team and I am so proud of our collective accomplishments and you all. "Thanks to the amazing partners and fans who enabled us to go racing. Your support has helped grow the team from its humble beginnings to an F1 powerhouse that laid claim to 6 Constructors Championships and 8 Drivers Championships." He then went on to thank "our rivals" saying "there would be no racing at all" without them. He added: " Formula 1 is a sport built on relentless ambition, passion, and respect. The rivalries have been fierce, but the mutual drive to innovate and raise the bar is what has made this journey so special." Christian signed off the statement by saying: "It's been an honour to be part of this incredible era of motorsport. I leave with immense pride in what we've achieved and also with what's in the pipeline for 2026 — and huge respect for everyone who's made F1 the pinnacle it is today. Thank You. Christian." Geri has not commented on her husband stepping down from his role either. This is despite her not being able to attend fellow Spice Girls Mel B's wedding last weekend due to supporting her husband.
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Christian Horner Breaks Silence On Social Media After Red Bull Sacking
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Former Red Bull Racing CEO and team principal Christian Horner has opened up after his sudden exit. Horner served the team for 20 years from 2005 but was let go with immediate effect on Wednesday. News about Horner's Red Bull departure sent shockwaves across the F1 community, especially given the team's current struggles, and as Red Bull develops its power unit for the new era beginning in 2026 under the Red Bull Powertrains banner. Horner has been replaced by former Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies, while Racing Bulls sporting director Alan Permane was promoted to the role of team principal. Horner was said to have reached the Red Bull factory at Milton Keynes yesterday following his exit announcement, where he broke down while addressing his team. Much later, he posted a statement on Instagram, revealing that he was proud of what the team had achieved under his leadership. He wrote: "After an incredible journey of twenty years together, it is with a heavy heart that today I say goodbye to the Team I have absolutely loved. Every one of you, the amazing people at the factory, have been the heart and soul of everything that we have achieved. Win and lose, every step of the way, we have stood by each other as one and I will never forget that. It's been a privilege being part of and leading this epic Team and I am so proud of our collective accomplishments and you all. Christian Horner, Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing waves in the Paddock prior to practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 27, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. Christian Horner, Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing waves in the Paddock prior to practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 27, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria."Thanks to the amazing partners and fans who enabled us to go racing. Your support has helped grow the team from its humble beginnings to an F1 powerhouse that laid claim to 6 Constructors Championships and 8 Drivers Championships. "Equally, thank you to our rivals, with whom there would be no racing at all. You've pushed us, challenged us, and enabled us to achieve accolades we never dreamed possible. The competition has made every victory sweeter and every setback an opportunity to develop and grow. "Formula 1 is a sport built on relentless ambition, passion, and respect. The rivalries have been fierce, but the mutual drive to innovate and raise the bar is what has made this journey so special. "It's been an honour to be part of this incredible era of motorsport. I leave with immense pride in what we've achieved and also with what's in the pipeline for 2026 - and huge respect for everyone who's made F1 the pinnacle it is today. Thank You." Related: Christian Horner Closed Red Bull Chapter With Emotional Goodbye To Team
News18
6 days ago
- Automotive
- News18
'Relentless Ambition, Passion, And Respect': Christian Horner Pens Heartfelt RBR Farewell Letter
Last Updated: After two decades at the helm of the Austrian side, Horner, who helped RBR to 8 individual titles and 6 constructors' championships, was sacked by the team. Former Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner, who was given the sack on Wednesday, took to social media to pen a heartfelt letter to the fans and staff of the side. After two decades at the helm of the Austrian side, Horner, who helped RBR to 8 individual titles and 6 constructors' championships, was sacked by the team. 'After an incredible journey of twenty years together, it is with a heavy heart that today I say goodbye to the Team I have absolutely loved," Horner's post on social media platform, Instagram, began. 'Every one of you, the amazing people at the factory, have been the heart and soul of everything that we have achieved. Win and lose, every step of the way, we have stood by each other as one and I will never forget that. It's been a privilege being part of and leading this epic Team and I am so proud of our collective accomplishments and you all," he added. The British engineer also led the side to over a century of race wins, and pole positions, while managing to clinch a place on the podium a whooping 287 times. He also oversaw a ton of quickest laps produced by Red Bull. 'Thanks to the amazing partners and fans who enabled us to go racing. Your support has helped grow the team from its humble beginnings to an F1 powerhouse that laid claim to 6 Constructors Championships and 8 Drivers Championships," the statement continued. 'Equally, thank you to our rivals, with whom there would be no racing at all. You've pushed us, challenged us, and enabled us to achieve accolades we never dreamed possible. The competition has made every victory sweeter and every setback an opportunity to develop and grow," the 51-year-old said. Laurent Mekies, who served as the head of Racing Bulls, has been named as the CEO of Red Bull Racing following the dismissal of Horner. 'Formula 1 is a sport built on relentless ambition, passion, and respect. The rivalries have been fierce, but the mutual drive to innovate and raise the bar is what has made this journey so special," the update added. 'It's been an honour to be part of this incredible era of motorsport. I leave with immense pride in what we've achieved and also with what's in the pipeline for 2026 — and huge respect for everyone who's made F1 the pinnacle it is today. Thank You- Christian," the post concluded. First Published: July 10, 2025, 09:05 IST
West Australian
6 days ago
- Automotive
- West Australian
Christian Horner: Former F1 team principal breaks silence after shocking Red Bull sacking
Christian Horner has broken his silence since his shock sacking from Red Bull. The 51-year-old and current longest-serving team boss in F1 history, was sacked with immediate effect from his role by the British-based Formula One team's parent company, Red Bull GmbH, on Tuesday. Horner will be replaced as principal by Racing Bulls' boss, Frenchman Laurent Mekies. In a heartbreaking social media post, Horner said the last twenty years at the helm of Red Bull had been an 'incredible journey'. 'It is with a heavy heart that today I say goodbye to the Team I have absolutely loved. Every one of you, the amazing people at the factory, have been the heart and soul of everything that we have achieved,' he wrote. 'Win and lose, every step of the way, we have stood by each other as one and I will never forget that. It's been a privilege being part of and leading this epic Team and I am so proud of our collective accomplishments and you all. He thanked the partners and fans who have helped 'grow the team fro its humble beginnings to an F1 powerhouse' that has now won six Constructors Championships and eight Drivers Championships. 'Equally, thank you to our rivals, with whom there would be no racing at all. You've pushed us, challenged us, and enabled us to achieve accolades we never dreamed possible. The competition has made every victory sweeter and every setback an opportunity to develop and grow,' he continued.'Formula 1 is a sport built on relentless ambition, passion, and respect. The rivalries have been fierce, but the mutual drive to innovate and raise the bar is what has made this journey so special.'It's been an honour to be part of this incredible era of motorsport. I leave with immense pride in what we've achieved and also with what's in the pipeline for 2026 — and huge respect for everyone who's made F1 the pinnacle it is today.' Horner travelled to the team's Milton Keynes factory to deliver the bombshell news to a stunned 1500-strong workforce on Wednesday morning. It's understood he broke down as he informed hundreds inside a room which showcases the Red Bull cars that won 14 world championships, as well as many more on a video call, that he would be leaving with immediate effect. He said: 'The decision came as a shock to myself. I have had a chance to reflect over the last 12 hours and I wanted to stand in front of all of you to break this news and just express my gratitude to each and every single member of the team that has given so much during the 20 and a half years that I have been here. 'Being part of this team has been the biggest privilege in my life.' An unplanned pause followed as Horner's voice broke before a round of applause followed. Within minutes of his emotional address, Red Bull GmbH released the news to the world that Horner's time, which began with the team's inception in 2005, was up. Red Bull Group CEO Oliver Mintzlaff said: 'We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years. 'Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history.' Horner's dramatic departure comes 17 months after he was accused of 'inappropriate behaviour' by a female colleague. At last year's season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, he was cleared of wrongdoing following an internal investigation, only for hundreds of WhatsApp messages - appearing to be exchanged between Horner and the complainant - to then be leaked to the F1 world. Horner, who is married to former Spice Girls pop star Geri Halliwell, managed to keep the Red Bull hierarchy onside and fought on. He always denied the claims and was exonerated for a second time of controlling behaviour by an independent KC last August. But he lost a number of key allies along the way, with design guru Adrian Newey, chief designer Rob Marshall and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley all departing. Max Verstappen won a fourth consecutive world championship last year but he has been hesitant to confirm whether he will see out the remainder of his deal which runs until 2028. His father, Jos, is a fierce critic of Horner's and claimed in Bahrain last year that Red Bull would 'explode' if Horner remained in his post. Verstappen paid his own tribute, saying: 'From my first race win, to four world championships, we have shared incredible successes. Winning memorable races and breaking countless records. Thank you for everything, Christian.' - With AAP
