Latest news with #OliverMintzlaff
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Tearful Red Bull staff ordered to ‘smile more' by new boss Helmut Marko after Christian Horner sacking
Tearful staff rocked by Red Bull chief Christian Horner's axing have been ordered to 'smile more' by their new Austrian and German bosses. Loyal workers were stunned when the British Formula One team's supremo Horner, 51, was ousted following a stellar 20-year reign. He helped Red Bull win eight drivers' championships and six constructors' crowns. And sources told SunSport new Austrian boss Helmut Marko upset staff who gathered to meet him at the team's HQ in Milton Keynes — with some now threatening to quit. A female Red Bull worker revealed: 'It was only a day after Christian was sacked and a lot of the team were still upset when Mr Marko addressed us. 'But he just made a joke of it and told us to cheer up — he said, 'You need to smile more'. 'It didn't endear him to anyone as what is there to smile about?' Horner's roles as chief executive officer and team principal have been usurped by Austrian team adviser Marko, 82, and German ex-football official Oliver Mintzlaff, 49. While French engineer and motorsport exec Laurent Mekies, 48, was quickly unveiled as Horner's replacement last week. But insiders have insisted Mintzlaff and Marko are now the men in the driving seat — and revealed their first address to staff at Milton Keynes was a 'car crash'. Mintzlaff sparked more anger when he joked about the brutal axing of senior staff including Horner, chief marketing officer Oliver Hughes and director of communications Paul Smith. Horner was summoned to London on July 9 believing he was attending a regular team meeting. But he was then relieved of his duties on the spot and put on gardening leave. Hughes and Smith were called into an office and also told they were no longer part of Red Bull's future. They were escorted out of the building after having their company devices taken from them — leaving hundreds of staff with no bosses to answer to. And another staff member told SunSport: 'Mintzlaff     also said, 'If you have any problems, just text your line manager'. 'Then he added, 'Oh, and if you don't have a line manager any more, just text me!' and started laughing.' Red Bull supremo Horner knew nothing of the plans to get rid of him, 18 months after he was accused of a sexting scandal which broke the heart of his Spice Girl wife Geri, 52. And the £12million-a-year chief was replaced within 24 hours by Marko and Mintzlaff, who arrived to address staff members, 90 per cent of whom are British. Emotional Red Bull insiders spoke in depth for the first time yesterday over their shock at the loss of their boss. They also laid bare the chaos that is now gripping this once all-conquering F1 team. And long-standing family friends who have spoken to Horner admitted he was left stunned by his ruthless removal. One told SunSport: 'Christian told me how hurt and betrayed he felt after all that he and Geri and their family have been through over the past 18 months. 'He was cleared twice over the texting scandal but is now on gardening leave and has still been given no explanation why he's lost the job he loved. 'Red Bull's Austrian bosses have always resented the fact that so much of their F1 success was down to a team that Christian built in Britain. 'That is what lies behind this — as well as the hangover from the terrible headlines last year. 'Christian was called to a London meeting and had no idea what it was about. 'He was just told, 'You have to be there' and was dumbfounded when he was ushered into a room and effectively sacked on the spot. 'It left him totally blindsided — he thought he'd been called in to speak about another issue. 'But the staff are nearly all Brits and are fiercely loyal to him and are now talking about walking out. 'It was a targeted attack for control of the race team because Red Bull's Austrian HQ didn't like a British man running their race team. 'But now the team is in chaos — Red Bull at Milton Keynes has hit the skids.'Red Bull's Austrian-based HQ was approached for comment yesterday.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Tearful Red Bull F1 staff ordered to ‘smile more' after being rocked by Christian Horner axe
TEARFUL staff rocked by Red Bull chief Christian Horner's axing have been ordered to 'smile more' by their new Austrian and German bosses. Loyal workers were stunned when the British Formula One team's supremo Horner, 51, was ousted following a stellar 20-year reign. 2 2 He helped Red Bull win eight drivers' championships and six constructors' crowns. And sources told SunSport new Austrian boss Helmut Marko upset staff who gathered to meet him at the team's HQ in Milton Keynes — with some now threatening to quit. A female Red Bull worker revealed: 'It was only a day after Christian was sacked and a lot of the team were still upset when Mr Marko addressed us. 'But he just made a joke of it and told us to cheer up — he said, 'You need to smile more'. 'It didn't endear him to anyone as what is there to smile about?' Horner's roles as chief executive officer and team principal have been usurped by Austrian team adviser Marko, 82, and German ex-football official Oliver Mintzlaff, 49. While French engineer and motorsport exec Laurent Mekies, 48, was quickly unveiled as Horner's replacement last week. But insiders have insisted Mintzlaff and Marko are now the men in the driving seat — and revealed their first address to staff at Milton Keynes was a 'car crash'. Mintzlaff sparked more anger when he joked about the brutal axing of senior staff including Horner, chief marketing officer Oliver Hughes and director of communications Paul Smith. Horner was summoned to London on July 9 believing he was attending a regular team meeting. Christian Horner 'in tears' during farewell speech to Red Bull employees as sacked boss admits decision came as 'shock' But he was then relieved of his duties on the spot and put on gardening leave. Hughes and Smith were called into an office and also told they were no longer part of Red Bull's future. They were escorted out of the building after having their company devices taken from them — leaving hundreds of staff with no bosses to answer to. And another staff member told SunSport: 'Mintzlaff also said, 'If you have any problems, just text your line manager'. 'Then he added, 'Oh, and if you don't have a line manager any more, just text me!' and started laughing.' Red Bull supremo Horner knew nothing of the plans to get rid of him, 18 months after he was accused of a sexting scandal which broke the heart of his Spice Girl wife Geri, 52. And the £12million-a-year chief was replaced within 24 hours by Marko and Mintzlaff, who arrived to address staff members, 90 per cent of whom are British. Emotional Red Bull insiders spoke in depth for the first time yesterday over their shock at the loss of their boss. They also laid bare the chaos that is now gripping this once all-conquering F1 team. And long-standing family friends who have spoken to Horner admitted he was left stunned by his ruthless removal. One told SunSport: 'Christian told me how hurt and betrayed he felt after all that he and Geri and their family have been through over the past 18 months. 'He was cleared twice over the texting scandal but is now on gardening leave and has still been given no explanation why he's lost the job he loved. 'Red Bull's Austrian bosses have always resented the fact that so much of their F1 success was down to a team that Christian built in Britain. 'That is what lies behind this — as well as the hangover from the terrible headlines last year. 'Christian was called to a London meeting and had no idea what it was about. 'He was just told, 'You have to be there' and was dumbfounded when he was ushered into a room and effectively sacked on the spot. 'It left him totally blindsided — he thought he'd been called in to speak about another issue. 'But the staff are nearly all Brits and are fiercely loyal to him and are now talking about walking out. 'It was a targeted attack for control of the race team because Red Bull's Austrian HQ didn't like a British man running their race team. 'But now the team is in chaos — Red Bull at Milton Keynes has hit the skids.'
Daily Mail
13-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Revealed: How Christian Horner was informed of his shock Red Bull sacking, one year on from sexting scandal - 'as clay pigeon shoot exposed team principal's crumbling relationship with bosses'
A new report has detailed how Christian Horner was informed of his shock Red Bull sacking earlier this week. Horner was dismissed on Wednesday after 20 years at the constructor, having overseen the team's transformation from upstart on the grid to winner of six constructors' championships and eight drivers' championships. While the official reason for Horner's firing remains unstated, it comes almost exactly a year after the team principal was engulfed in a high-profile investigation. In February last year, the 51-year-old was accused of sexual harassment and coercive and controlling behaviour by a female employee. He was twice cleared, initially after an internal investigation conducted by a lawyer, and then by another lawyer who dismissed the female employee's appeal. The episode cast a long shadow over the team and left Horner's public image severely tarnished. And now, German outlet Bild has revealed how the fallout from that turbulent period culminated in Horner's dramatic sacking. The veteran team principal was reportedly informed of his Red Bull dismissal in a London hotel suite, blindsided by the energy drink empire's top brass. Horner was told face-to-face by advisor Helmut Marko and global sports director Oliver Mintzlaff on Tuesday afternoon. It is understood that he was left stunned by the news. While the sacking may have shocked Horner personally, the groundwork had been quietly laid for weeks. Mintzlaff reportedly began privately considering personnel changes during Red Bull's home race - the Austrian Grand Prix - at the end of June. A decisive conversation reportedly took place at Red Bull's headquarters between Mintzlaff and the team's billionaire owners, Chalerm Yoovidhya and Mark Mateschitz. One week later, during a Zoom call, Mintzlaff confirmed the decision: Horner would be removed - the owners gave the green light. It is understood that Horner's expanding grip on power within the Red Bull structure, including control over marketing, technical, and engine departments, had caused friction at the top. His reluctance to step back from these roles reportedly angered Yoovidhya, who at one point threatened to cut off contact unless Horner complied. Max Verstappen sided with Marko when the advisor threatened to quit during a power struggle between himself and Horner in early 2024 Perhaps the clearest sign that Horner's position was becoming untenable came just days before the British Grand Prix. At his annual clay pigeon shoot event near Oxford - a tradition typically attended by Red Bull's inner circle - Yoovidhya and Max Verstappen were both conspicuously absent. Verstappen excused himself with a supposed stomach bug, but his absence was noted, especially as tensions between driver and boss have grown. On the track, Red Bull are in unfamiliar territory. After dominating the sport in recent years, they've slipped to fourth in the constructors' standings. Verstappen - winner of the last four titles - is only third in the Drivers' Championship, behind the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Even more troubling for Red Bull is that Verstappen has an exit clause that allows him to leave if he isn't in the top three by the end of July. Throughout it all, Verstappen's loyalty has remained with Marko, the man who discovered and backed him as a teenager. When Marko threatened to quit during a power struggle between himself and Horner in early 2024, Verstappen made his stance clear. From then onwards, Horner's position at the team was precarious.
The Independent
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Christian Horner sacked live: Ex-Red Bull chief speaks out on shock F1 exit after texts scandal and power struggle
Christian Horner has been relieved of his duties as Red Bull's Formula One team principal on Wednesday morning. The Red Bull chief had led the team since its inception in 2005, guiding them to six constructors' titles and eight drivers' championships. However, just one year after a personal scandal involving alleged 'inappropriate behaviour' with a female colleague – an accusation Horner was cleared of twice – the 51-year-old lost his job on Wednesday morning. Horner, who is married to Spice Girl pop star Geri Halliwell, has been replaced by Laurent Mekies as CEO of Red Bull Racing. Mekies was previously the team principal at sister team Racing Bulls. Red Bull CEO of Corporate Projects and Investments, Oliver Mintzlaff, said in a statement: 'We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years. With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking, he has been instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful and attractive teams in Formula 1. Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history.' Red Bull endured a race to forget at the British Grand Prix on Sunday, and the team are now a distant fourth in the constructors' standings, but this announcement still comes as a shock to the team at Milton Keynes and the whole F1 paddock. Horner was the longest-serving team boss in F1 and guided Red Bull to 124 grand prix victories during his time in charge. Max Verstappen, who won all four of his world titles under Horner at Red Bull, posted on Instagram: '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!' Pinned Inside the power struggle at heart of Christian Horner exit – and what it means for Max Verstappen's F1 future For a team very much accustomed to shock announcements, this was the bombshell to end all bombshells from Red Bull. After giving an emotional farewell to stunned staff at the team's HQ at around 10am, Christian Horner drove away from the Milton Keynes campus – the site he built from the bottom-up – for the last time on Wednesday morning. Horner's exit after two decades as Red Bull Racing's team principal, and later F1 CEO, would not have been earth-shattering at the start of last season. Division in the sport's top outfit, in the wake of allegations of 'inappropriate behaviour' levelled at Horner from a female colleague, was well documented. Yet the embattled team boss was cleared, twice, and he was at the forefront as his star driver Max Verstappen won a fourth consecutive world championship. On the face of it, it seemed Horner had weaved his way through the storm and come out the other side, perhaps stronger than ever. But for this news to come now, halfway through the 2025 season, has come as a shock to the whole paddock. The sport's longest-serving team boss, who never missed a race in two decades, will not be present in the paddock in Belgium later this month for the first time since the 2004 Brazilian Grand Prix, at least in an official capacity. Kieran Jackson analyses Christian Horner's exit: Inside the power struggle at the heart of Christian Horner's Red Bull exit An intense 18-month stand-off and battle for superiority within Red Bull has finally concluded, explains F1 Correspondent Kieran Jackson, with Horner – the longest-serving F1 team boss, who had navigated personal scandal and unprecedented success – the ultimate fall-guy Will Castle9 July 2025 16:45 Pinned Max Verstappen posts first message since Christian Horner sacking Max Verstappen has thanked Christian Horner in the world champion's first public message since the Red Bull boss was sacked earlier this morning. Verstappen was given his first drive by Horner as a teenager and he has won four F1 titles while working under him at Red Bull. He posted on Instagram: '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!' Jamie Braidwood9 July 2025 16:06 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. 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. Christian Horner breaks silence on Red Bull exit after 'special journey' Horner endured an 18-month stand-off with some of Red Bull's most powerful figures before the longest-serving reign as F1 team boss ended on Wednesday after a glittering run of titles Jack Rathborn10 July 2025 08:15 Will Max Verstappen be the next to leave Red Bull? Max Verstappen's manager Raymond Vermeulen insisted on Wednesday that his driver is committed to the team. The 27-year-old has not driven outside the Red Bull family since his F1 debut for sister team Toro Rosso in 2015. Verstappen has repeatedly reiterated his short-term commitment to Red Bull, but Mercedes boss Toto Wolff made it known recently that he is keeping an eye on the prospect of signing the Dutchman. Verstappen's arch rival, George Russell, only has a contract in place at Mercedes until the end of the season. Flo Clifford10 July 2025 08:00 Red Bull's statement after firing Christian Horner Red Bull CEO of Corporate Projects and Investments, Oliver Mintzlaff, said in a statement: "We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years. 'With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking, he has been instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful and attractive teams in Formula 1. 'Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history." Flo Clifford10 July 2025 07:45 Christian Horner allegations timeline: How sacked Red Bull F1 boss became embroiled in scandal Christian Horner was sensationally sacked as Red Bull F1 boss on Wednesday morning. The 51-year-old has been in charge of the team since its inception in Formula One in 2005, leading them to six constructors' titles and eight drivers' crowns. But just one year on from the personal scandal involving alleged 'inappropriate behaviour' with a female colleague – an accusation he was cleared of twice – Horner has on Wednesday morning lost his job. Horner, who is married to Spice Girl pop star Geri Halliwell, has been replaced as CEO of Red Bull Racing by Laurent Mekies, formerly the team principal at sister team Racing Bulls. Here is a timeline of how the allegations last year played out. Horner allegations timeline: How sacked Red Bull F1 boss became embroiled in scandal Horner always denied allegations of inappropriate behaviour made by a female colleague at Red Bull Racing Flo Clifford10 July 2025 07:30 Christian Horner's shock exit 'not completely out of the blue' Reuters have reported there was no immediate comment from Christian Horner, whose contract at Red Bull had been due to run until 2030. Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle said Horner told him "no reason was given" for being replaced. "It is not completely out of the blue, given the problems in the team," said Brundle. "I believe it's performance-related as well. It perhaps makes it more likely that Verstappen will stay there -- I think that became quite personal." 10 July 2025 07:15 Max Verstappen's F1 future predicted by Martin Brundle after Christian Horner dismissed by Red Bull Martin Brundle believes Max Verstappen is likely to stay at Red Bull next season following the news that Christian Horner has been relieved of his duties as the team's F1 CEO. 'I can only surmise it means it's more likely he stays at this moment,' Brundle told Sky Sports News. 'It remains to be seen. Every point Max has through his own genius driving is in a Red Bull car. They're debuting their own engine [with Ford] for the first time next year. which is going to be the biggest change in Formula 1 history. 'We know that Max has an exit clause based on where he is in the world championship at the end of this month.' Flo Clifford10 July 2025 07:00 Christian Horner's emotional farewell speech at Red Bull leaked: 'I've fought hard' Christian Horner admits he was 'shocked' when he learned of his Red Bull exit as his farewell speech to employees was leaked on Wednesday. Horner, the team principal at Red Bull Racing for 20 years, was relieved of his duties by Red Bull's parent company on Wednesday morning in a surprise announcement. The 51-year-old, who guided Red Bull from their inception in F1 to a championship-winning force, addressed employees at the team's HQ in Milton Keynes and was visibly emotional. Horner said farewell to hundreds of Red Bull's employees at the team's HQ in Milton Keynes on Wednesday Flo Clifford10 July 2025 06:45 Racing Bulls announce new team principal as reshuffle continues Racing Bulls have named Alan Permane as their new team principal after Laurent Mekies took the place of Christian Horner at Red Bull. "I feel very honoured to take on the role as team principal and would like to thank Oliver and Helmut for the trust they have shown in me,' he said. "I am looking forward to working with Peter [Bayer, CEO] to continue the good work that both him and Laurent have done in taking this team forward." Flo Clifford10 July 2025 06:30
Telegraph
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Christian Horner's demise: A huge row with Jos Verstappen, then a tearful goodbye
After 20 years, eight drivers' titles, six constructors' titles, and 124 race wins, it all ended with a tearful speech in front of the entire workforce at the Red Bull Racing factory in Milton Keynes on Wednesday morning. Well, not the entire workforce. It is understood Red Bull chief Oliver Mintzlaff and motorsport advisor Helmut Marko decided to stay in the Racing Bulls factory next door. Christian Horner said what an honour it had been leading the team, building it up from the ashes of Stewart Grand Prix and Jaguar into Formula One's version of the All Blacks. According to witnesses, many of whom have never known life at the factory without Horner at the helm, there was sustained applause at the finish. Even a few tears from Horner himself and members of the staff. But it has felt for some time as if the situation at Red Bull Racing would end in tears. An emotional Christian Horner says goodbye to the Red Bull staff. — Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) July 9, 2025 When Jos Verstappen warned last last year that the team risked being 'torn apart' if Horner stayed in situ in the wake of his 'sexting' scandal, it fired the starting pistol on a civil war from which there could be only one survivor. What Verstappen snr was basically saying was: either Horner goes or my boy goes – sooner or later. That threat has been delivered. While Red Bull were winning – and they managed to claim the drivers' title last year thanks to their dominant form at the start of the season and then Verstappen's sheer brilliance – Horner was safe. He was, after all, cleared by two investigations and had the backing of Red Bull's majority owner, Thai businessman Chalerm Yoovidhya. Horner's relationships begin to fracture... again But that success was only papering over the cracks. With the team currently going through a lean spell on the track, and with the prospect of further lean times to come, the poison began to spread again this year. Horner's relationship with Verstappen snr and Marko began to fracture again. The shift in atmosphere when Jos, in particular, attended races was palpable. He has not done that so much of late, having been competing in rallying for much of the last 18 months. But he was there at Silverstone last weekend. After his son finished fifth in the race, multiple witnesses in the Red Bull garage saw him get into a heated row with Red Bull's director of communications, Paul Smith, and then with Horner as well. It is understood the disagreement centred on Smith's communications with the media, who he spoke with and what he was briefing. Smith was also placed on gardening leave this week, along with Oliver Hughes, Red Bull Racing's group chief marketing and commercial officer. Both were seen as staunch Horner allies. At the same time, the power battle with Austria, which has been going on since the death of Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022, returned to the fore. Horner was not just CEO and team principal of Red Bull Racing, he headed up the Powertrains and Advanced Technologies businesses, too. The marketing of both teams was also run in-house. Telegraph Sport has been told that Red Bull Austria first proposed spinning off the marketing for Racing Bulls, Red Bull's 'sister' team' in F1, earlier this season. Horner was then spotted heading to a key meeting with Mintzlaff following a desperately disappointing home race in Austria two weekends ago, where it was proposed that Red Bull Austria take full control of marketing for both teams. Even then, there was no inkling that Horner would be sacked so abruptly. The threat of Verstappen departing was seemingly the final straw. That threat, which has been hanging over the team for 18 months, undoubtedly focused minds, not least that of majority owner Yoovidhya. The Thai businessman was a notable absentee from last week's annual pre-Silverstone charity event, jointly hosted by Horner and his wife Geri Halliwell-Horner, in aid of Red Bull spinal injury foundation charity Wings for Life. Yoovidhya backed Horner for as long as he could but has clearly decided things can no longer go on as they are. Horner's sacking seems to be an attempt to keep Verstappen onside, although, unlike his father, he never appeared to have a personal issue with his team principal. And the irony is, even if Verstappen stays next season, he may well leave in 2027, depending on the team's competitiveness next year. 'People are just dumbfounded' Either way, faced with the prospect of another year or more of internal strife and politics, Red Bull's overlords have acted. Horner is understood to have been summoned to a meeting with Mintzlaff and Marko in London on Tuesday, where he was told he was to be 'relieved of his operational duties' but was still technically an employee (pending an enormous pay-off, one presumes, given Horner had more than five years left on his contract). Horner told senior management and then addressed the team on Wednesday. According to witnesses he had to collect himself at one point. There is a poignant element to the timing of this, with Horner's ex-wife Beverley, the father of his 11-year-old daughter Olivia, and with whom he had long since reconciled, dying last week after a long illness. The funeral will be held next week. 'It was pretty emotional,' said a team source. 'Most people have never driven through those gates without Christian in charge. People here are just dumbfounded really.' As is the sport. Red Bull enjoyed one of the most successful eras in Formula One history, with Horner undeniably a shrewd team principal, whatever else one might think of him. He assembled and ran a brilliant team, with Adrian Newey the creative genius, backed by a benign billionaire in Mateschitz, and then perhaps even more impressively kept it together and went on another winning run after Mercedes' years of success. It all came crashing down in the end, amid rancour and division and hubris, with Newey leaving as well as other senior figures such as sporting director Jonathan Wheatley and chief engineering officer Rob Marshall. It remains to be seen where the team go from here, whether other senior figures depart. But it feels like the end of an era.
