Cliff Notes – Red Bull sacking came as a shock
- Christian Horner says Red Bull sacking came as a shock in an emotional farewell speech.
- He was Red Bull’s longest-serving team principal and did not see the sacking coming
- His departure follows a brewing power struggle at Red Bull, and a disappointing season with Red Bull currently sitting fourth in the constructors’ championship
- It follows allegations of inappropriate behaviour from a colleague last year, which he denied.
- Under Horner’s leadership since 2005, Red Bull achieved significant success, including eight Drivers’ World Championships and six Constructors’ Championships.
Christian Horner says Red Bull sacking came as a ‘shock’ in farewell speech
Christian Horner has said his sacking as F1 Red Bull’s team principal came as a “shock” during an emotional farewell speech, in a ruthless bit of business by the Red Bull team.
The 51-year-old, who had been with Red Bull since 2005, was the longest-serving team principal in F1. The team announced Laurent Mekies had been appointed as CEO on Wednesday.
Emotional farewell speech
It was an emotional farewell speech which was limited. You could tell he was under obligation not to divulge any internal information and has been handsomely paid off. But that is the end of his career in formula 1.
A video of Horner’s farewell speech at Red Bull’s UK base in Milton Keynes, obtained by Sky Sports News, shows him breaking down in tears while explaining he was told he “would no longer be involved with the business or the team”.
Sexual harassment case pushed him out
Horner’s future was first called into question when it emerged last year that a female employee had accused him of sexual harassment and controlling behaviour. He has been cleared of the allegations by internal Red Bull investigations, but there must be something they have found that does not sit well with the board.
There is a whole lot more to Horner’s demise than that episode, the ultimate conclusion of which remains unknown. But it added extra momentum to the mix that led to Red Bull’s decision.
Red bull have locked down any leaks and gossip on the matter. Very few internal sources who might normally brief reliably are refusing to talk off the record.