By Tyson Otto
Copyright news
The 51-year-old, who led Red Bull to eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ crowns, was sacked as team principal in July. Now the messy divorce has finally gone through.
His contract, which had been due to run until 2030, has now concluded and he will be free to return to the sport, potentially as soon as next year.
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It has been widely reported Horner will receive up to £80 million ($160 million) in the pay-off.
Horner’s time at Red Bull was tarnished after screenshots of alleged WhatsApp messages between him and an employee were leaked anonymously the day after a three-week investigation, carried out externally, cleared the 51-year-old of all allegations.
Horner was released from “operational duties” on July 9, 17 months after he was accused by a woman colleague of “inappropriate behaviour”. The so-called “sexting” scandal made headlines around the globe, The Sun reports.
The Englishman was twice cleared over the claims by the Formula 1 team’s parent company, Red Bull GmbH, and his wife, former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, stood by him.
But there were rumblings of discontent within the team, with several high-profile departures, while form on the track dipped.
Dutchman Max Verstappen has won the past four drivers’ titles for Red Bull, matching the achievement of Sebastian Vettel, who dominated for the team from 2010 to 2013.
However, rumours swirled in the weeks before Horner was terminated that Verstappen was exploring a move away from the team. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff did his best to stir the pot when refusing to give a straight answer on whether the team was pursuing Verstappen.
Horner reportedly was given no reason for his sacking, and was replaced by Laurent Mekies, who stepped up from sister squad Racing Bulls.
A Red Bull Racing statement read: “Oracle Red Bull Racing announces today that team principal and CEO Christian Horner will leave the team today.”
Horner said leading the team had been an “honour and privilege”.
“When we started in 2005, none of us could have imagined the journey ahead — the championships, the races, the people, the memories,” he said.
“I’m incredibly proud of what we achieved as a team, breaking records and reaching heights no one would ever believe were possible, and I will forever carry that with me.”
Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO of corporate projects and investments, thanked Horner for his “exceptional work”.
“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,” he said.
“Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history.”
Rumours have been swirling that he is now looking to invest in an F1 team.
Alpine has been touted as a possible destination due to his friendship with executive adviser Flavio Briatore.
Briatore could act as an investor to back Horner’s bid, alongside ex-F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone who was removed from F1 CEO in 2017 after Liberty Media took over.
Briatore has denied any chance of it happening any time soon.
He said: “I’m not considering in this moment anything,
“Christian is not in F1 in this moment anymore. I hope he comes back soon, but for the moment he’s not in the picture of Alpine.”
Horner, who married Spice Girl Halliwell in 2015, was estimated to have a net worth of $100m in 2024.
Red Bull, meanwhile, has had a sudden season resurgence in recent weeks with Verstappen winning back-to-back races in Italy and Azerbaijan.
