Red Bull Racing has parted ways with Christian Horner after two decades as team principal and CEO, with the team potentially facing an astonishing compensation bill of up to £35.68 million.
The 51-year-old was removed from his position on Wednesday morning, with Laurent Mekies promoted from sister team Visa Cash App Racing Bulls to replace him.
Horner's contract was reportedly due to run until 2030, meaning the team could owe him more than four years' worth of his £8.92m annual salary.
The departure marks the end of one of Formula 1's longest-serving team principal tenures, which began in 2005.
Christian Horner will lose a huge salary, in addition to his job at Red Bull, after being relieved of his duties at the F1 sideGETTYDuring his tenure, Horner guided the team to extraordinary success, securing eight drivers' world championships and six constructors' titles.
He oversaw Sebastian Vettel's four consecutive championships from 2010 to 2013 and Max Verstappen's four titles between 2021 and 2024.
His salary had risen from £8.04m in 2022 to £8.92m in 2023, making him Formula 1's highest-paid team principal ahead of Mercedes' Toto Wolff and Ferrari's Fred Vasseur.
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Christian Horner was the longest-serving F1 team principal prior to his dismissal from Red BullGETTYThe team first emerged from the remnants of Jaguar Racing when Red Bull entered the sport in 2005, with Horner at the helm from the beginning.
Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle expressed sadness at the news, describing Horner as a friend and praising his transformation of the team from its Stewart and Jaguar origins.
"Completely out of the blue, given things going on and problems in the team. I'm quite sad about it if I'm honest, I consider Christian a friend," Brundle said.
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He revealed that Horner had been given no explanation for his dismissal: "No reason was given to him as to why he's been released. That's the only hard info on that."
Brundle suggested the decision could be "performance related" and might make it more likely that the Verstappen family would remain with the team.
Red Bull issued a statement acknowledging Horner's departure: "After 20 years with the Team, Christian Horner departs Oracle Red Bull Racing as Team Principal and CEO. We thank him for his tireless and exceptional work."
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Christian Horner oversaw eight Drivers' Championships and six Constructors' Championships at Red Bull
GettyThe team credited him with being "instrumental in building this team into one of the most successful in F1" and concluded: "Thank you for everything Christian, you will forever remain an important part of our team's history."
Meanwhile, incoming team principal Mekies expressed enthusiasm about his promotion: "It has been an amazing adventure to contribute to the birth of Racing Bulls together with all our talented people.
"The spirit of the whole team is incredible, and I strongly believe that this is just the beginning."
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