Overview

• Christian Horner has been relieved of all leadership duties at Red Bull Racing effective immediately after a 20-year tenure that yielded eight drivers’ and six constructors’ titles.
• Laurent Mekies, who has led the Racing Bulls sister outfit, immediately assumes the role of team principal at Red Bull Racing.
• The ownership group, spearheaded by Oliver Mintzlaff with backing from Chalerm Yoovidhya, Mark Mateschitz and Helmut Marko, cited on-track struggles and concerns over concentrated executive power.
• Horner’s accumulation of team principal, technical head and marketing chief roles drew internal criticism for creating an overcentralized leadership structure.
• Max Verstappen’s contract includes a late-July exit clause tied to top-three standing in the drivers’ championship, and Helmut Marko has indicated he may step back if results do not improve.