Christian Horner leaves red bull after £52m severance deal

Christian Horner has officially ended his two-decade tenure with Red Bull Racing after finalizing a severance package valued at £52 million (€60m), according to a source cited by BBC Sport. His departure follows his dismissal as team principal and chief executive in July.

Horner, 51, had been at the helm of Red Bull since the team’s Formula 1 debut in 2005. During his leadership, the outfit captured eight drivers’ championships and six constructors’ titles, including two dominant eras: Sebastian Vettel’s four consecutive titles between 2010 and 2013 and Max Verstappen’s run from 2021 to 2024.

The Briton’s contract had been due to run until the end of 2030, with reports suggesting he was owed more than £100m. However, Sky Sports F1 reported that Horner accepted a reduced settlement in order to clear the way for a potential return to the sport as early as 2026.

Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull’s chief executive of corporate projects and investments, praised Horner’s legacy in a statement, highlighting his “tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking” in building Red Bull into one of Formula 1’s most successful teams. Horner himself described his time in charge as “an honour and a privilege,” reflecting on the journey from Red Bull’s launch to its record-breaking achievements.

His final months with the team were marked by challenges. Allegations of inappropriate conduct, which he denied, were dismissed after an appeal in 2024. Meanwhile, Red Bull faced performance setbacks, with McLaren emerging as the leading force, and key departures including designer Adrian Newey and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley.

Horner has been linked with possible future roles at Alpine and Cadillac, though the latter denied speculation in August. He has since been succeeded by Laurent Mekies, under whom Red Bull has shown signs of resurgence.