Red Bull sack team principal Christian Horner, appoint Laurent Mekies

LONDON – Red Bull have sacked team principal Christian Horner and named Laurent Mekies as the Briton’s replacement, the Formula One team announced on July 9.

The 51-year-old Horner has occupied the role ever since the team started out in the championship in 2005.

He oversaw a period of dominance by the team who claimed the drivers’ championship eight times – Sebastian Vettel from 2010 to 2013 and Max Verstappen winning the past four titles – and six constructors’ crowns.

However, his fortunes have dipped in the past 18 months after being accused of sexual harassment and coercive, controlling behaviour by a female employee.

Although Horner, whose wife, former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, stood by him during the testing time, was cleared twice, there have been rumblings of discontent within the team, with several high-profile departures, and their form has tailed off.

“Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today (Wednesday, July 9) and has appointed Laurent Mekies as CEO of Red Bull Racing,” read the team statement.

Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO of corporate projects and investments, paid the departing team chief a fulsome tribute.

“We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years,” he said in a statement.

“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 One.

“Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history.”

Horner’s departure comes amid speculation that Verstappen may be lured to Mercedes.

Although the 27-year-old Dutchman won a fourth-straight title last season, he stood on the top step of the podium only twice in the 12 races this season.

Other key figures responsible for Red Bull’s dominance have left in the past year-and-a-half.

Legendary designer Adrian Newey signed for Aston Martin and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley joined Sauber, who are beginning to show signs of his influence with Nico Hulkenberg claiming his first-ever podium finish in the July 6 British Grand Prix.

Verstappen, by contrast, finished a disappointing fifth, having started on pole.

He is clearly unhappy with the car, saying during the race “this car is just so difficult to drive”, which only further served to ferment talk of a departure.

He is third and is languishing 69 points adrift of championship leader Oscar Piastri at the halfway point of the campaign.

Red Bull are fourth in the constructors’ standings, 288 points behind leaders McLaren with Ferrari and Mercedes also ahead of them in the standings.

In other news, Apple is in talks to acquire US broadcast rights to screen Formula One when the contract becomes available in 2026, the Financial Times reported on July 9, citing people familiar with the matter.

The report follows the strong performance of Apple’s high-octane F1: The Movie starring Brad Pitt, which has grossed more than US$300 million (S$384.1 million) in worldwide box office collection as at July 9, according to IMDb’s Box Office Mojo.

Currently, Walt Disney’s ESPN holds the exclusive US broadcast rights for Formula One up till the 2025 season. However, ESPN’s exclusivity period to negotiate a new contract expired, sources told Reuters in February, opening the door for new bidders.

Apple and Formula One did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.

Apple is aiming to capitalise on the sport’s growing popularity in the US, which was also driven by the success of Netflix’s hit docu-series Formula 1: Drive To Survive, which provided an engaging behind-the-scenes look at the sport.

Netflix is also among the contenders for the US broadcasting rights from the 2026 season, according to media reports in February. AFP, REUTERS