Overview

• Oracle Red Bull Racing issued a Sept. 22 statement confirming Horner’s contractual departure, finalizing negotiations that followed his July 9 removal from operational duties and Laurent Mekies’ appointment.
• British media widely reported a severance of about £80 million, with estimates ranging from roughly £60 million to $100 million, while Red Bull did not disclose terms.
• Multiple outlets say the deal includes a garden‑leave or non‑compete period of around nine months that could delay any new F1 role until mid‑2026, although some reports suggest the timing may vary.
• Speculation has linked Horner to potential roles—most prominently at Alpine—while Ferrari and Cadillac figures have dismissed near‑term possibilities and Renault executives rejected talk of an Alpine takeover.
• His departure follows a turbulent stretch of internal strains, a 2024 investigation that cleared him, and senior exits including Adrian Newey, concluding a tenure that delivered six constructors’ and eight drivers’ championships.