Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner says his departure from the team’s operational side came as shocked after being told Tuesday evening.
Horner was removed as the team’s principal and CEO, and was immediately effective, with a Red Bull statement confirming the changes Wednesday morning. The 51-year-old has been in charge of the team since it was created to enter Formula 1 in 2005, but has been replaced by former Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies.
Speaking to Red Bull staff at Milton Keynes’ factory on Wednesday, Horner said he wanted to be able to speak with the team to thank them.
“Yesterday, I was informed by Red Bull that I would not be operationally involved with businesses or teams moving forward after this rally,” Horner said in footage protected by SkySport. “I’m still employed by the company, but operationally, the baton is handed over. It clearly shocked me, but the only thing I had time to do is look back at the past 12 hours or so.
“I just wanted to stand in front of you to break this news and express my gratitude to each and every member of the team who gave me so much in the last 20 and a half years.
“When I arrived 20 years ago, I stepped into the team with few gray hairs, but I didn’t know what to expect, but I was immediately welcomed.
“Being part of this team was the biggest privilege of my life. I was able to see the team…” Horner began before he became emotional and owned by applause.
Since news from parent company Red Bull GMBH was broken, Red Bull Racing’s only official statement was for the Mekies to confirm that Horner would take on the dual role of CEO and Team Principal.