In a headline that’s sending shockwaves through motorsport, Christian Horner, husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, has been fired as Team Principal and CEO of Red Bull Racing on July 9, 2025, exactly one year after a sexting scandal rocked the paddock.
Horner, 51, had managed Red Bull to six constructors’ titles and eight driver crowns since 2005. He was cleared in February 2024 after an internal probe into alleged inappropriate behaviour with a female staffer. But leaked WhatsApp messages—full of suggestive requests—kept the story alive and the pressure mounting.
Despite no formal misconduct finding, the cloud hung heavy. Sources report Red Bull’s Thai ownership finally pulled the plug, even as Horner fought hard to stay. The team also suffered a dip in performance, falling to fifth in the constructors’ standings .
Laurent Mekies, from the Racing Bulls sister team, steps in immediately. Red Bull Executive Oliver Mintzlaff praised Horner’s “tireless commitment and innovation”, adding, “he will always be part of our history” .
The question now: will Max Verstappen follow the shake‑up? The Dutch star is under contract until 2028, but today’s leadership shift may trigger clauses. Plus, a female employee is heading to a UK employment tribunal in January 2026, promising more headlines.
What’s clear: Red Bull is in a major pivot—driven by scandal, shaken by performance, and forced to rebuild. And in the middle of it all stands Christian Horner, once the face of their F1 dominance, now ousted.
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