Red Bull leadership shift confirmed

Red Bull Racing confirms Christian Horner's exit as part of a leadership reshuffle.

Christian Horner leaves Red Bull Racing after 18 years

Red Bull Racing has formally terminated Christian Horner's role as director, with Companies House listing the move on August 13. Horner was removed as team principal on July 9 after a period away from day-to-day duties, and Stefan Salzer was appointed as a director on July 8, signaling a shift in leadership alongside the broader corporate changes at Red Bull GmbH.

Horner led the team since 2005, delivering six Constructors' titles and guiding the squad through peak success and periods of internal tension. The decision follows a 2024 investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior that was later dismissed, and comes as Red Bull Racing and its parent entities pursue a recalibrated governance model. The appointment of Salzer points to greater Austrian influence in Red Bull’s racing units, which could reshape strategy, sponsorship focus and succession planning in the years ahead.

This change is about more than a job title. It signals a consolidation of power inside Red Bull's corporate family, with Salzer's appointment suggesting the parent company wants tighter control over racing operations. That could bring clearer decision making, but it also raises questions about independence from the racing culture that helped fuel the team's success.

For sponsors and staff, the test is whether this shift translates into steadier performance and better governance. In Formula One, ownership structure matters as much as engineering, and Red Bull's move underscores how closely team outcomes ride on corporate strategy and leadership.

Highlights

A new chapter begins, and the noise around leadership is unlikely to fade quickly.