In a surprising move, Red Bull Racing has officially ended its long-standing relationship with Team Principal Christian Horner. After leading the team for 20 years, Horner’s departure signals a major shift at the top of one of Formula 1’s most dominant outfits.

This leadership change arrives at a particularly sensitive time, with Max Verstappen’s contract reportedly containing an exit clause. Any instability within the team’s management could have far-reaching consequences for the reigning World Champion’s future with the team.

The decision to part ways with Horner was not accompanied by a detailed explanation. Red Bull’s official statement simply noted that Horner will “forever remain an important part of our team history.”

His departure is the latest in a series of high-profile changes at Red Bull, which have been unfolding since the passing of co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz. The team has already seen the exit of a chief car designer and a sporting director within the last 18 months, suggesting a deep internal restructuring.

Red Bull expressed gratitude in its announcement, highlighting Horner’s contributions: “his tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking.”

While Horner’s tenure brought Red Bull considerable success—multiple Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships—it concluded amid speculation and uncertainty. At the recent British Grand Prix, Horner faced persistent questions regarding Verstappen’s plans for the 2026 season, especially as the Dutch driver has yet to confirm his commitment.

As of now, the implications of Horner’s departure on Verstappen’s future with the team remain unclear.

Allegations Against Horner

Horner’s exit also follows a turbulent year marked by serious accusations. He had been the subject of internal investigations after being accused of “inappropriate behavior” by a female colleague.

Despite being cleared twice through internal reviews, the allegations cast a shadow over his final year with the team.

The father of the woman at the center of the controversy shared his reaction to the news agencies: “I’ve read the news and the right thing has happened. It’s been all over the news and people know what took place.”

He also confirmed that his daughter no longer works at Red Bull, though he declined to provide specifics about her current status or involvement in the F1 world.

He added: “You’ll have to find out for yourself, I don’t want to go into details but she’s not involved with them (Red Bull).”

Horner’s departure closes a remarkable chapter in Red Bull’s F1 journey—one filled with victories, innovation, and now, a moment of reckoning.

In a major shake-up at the top of Formula 1, Red Bull Racing have parted ways with their long-serving team principal, Christian Horner, bringing an end to a 20-year era that helped define the sport’s modern era.

Horner, 51, has been with Red Bull since the team’s debut in 2005, steering them to incredible success on the track. Under his leadership, Red Bull racked up an impressive eight constructors’ championships and eight drivers’ titles — four of which were secured consecutively by current champ Max Verstappen.

Red Bull is undergoing a significant leadership change, with Laurent Mekies stepping in to replace Christian Horner as CEO.

The decision to move on comes amid a dip in the team’s recent form and internal tensions behind the scenes. It also follows the fallout from serious allegations made 17 months ago involving claims of sexual harassment and controlling behavior from a female team member.

During Horner’s reign, Red Bull became a powerhouse in Formula 1, with Sebastian Vettel won title from 2010 to 2013 — a golden era that firmly cemented the team’s place in the sport’s elite.

“Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today (Wednesday 9 July 2025) and has appointed Laurent Mekies as CEO of Red Bull Racing,” said a Red Bull spokesperson.

“Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull’s chief executive of corporate projects and investments thanked Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years.”

“With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking, he has been instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful and attractive teams in Formula 1.

“Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history.”

As part of this transition, Alan Permane, currently serving as Racing Director for Racing Bulls, will move up to become Team Principal of the sister team.

“The last year and a half has been an absolute privilege to lead the team with Peter [Bayer, Racing Bulls CEO],” commented Mekies.

“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.

“Alan is the perfect man to take over now and continue our path. He knows the team inside out and has always been an important pillar of our early successes.”

Permane expressed his enthusiasm for the new role: “I feel very honoured to take on the role as Team Principal and would like to thank Oliver and Helmut [Marko, Red Bull advisor] for the trust they have shown in me.

“I am looking forward to working with Peter to continue the good work that both him and Laurent have done in taking this team forward.

“This is a new challenge for me, but I know that I can count on the support of everyone within them.”

More to follow.

When you think of F1 technology, images of high-tech aerodynamics, state-of-the-art engines, and cutting-edge materials likely come to mind. But beneath the shiny, streamlined exteriors of these machines lies a crucial, often overlooked component—the skid block, or as it’s fondly called, the “plank.”

Introduced in 1994, the skid block was designed with one simple mission: safety. It ensures cars maintain a minimum ride height, preventing them from skimming too close to the tarmac. Why does this matter? Well, it limits the downforce a car can generate, keeping cornering speeds in check and reducing the risk of catastrophic accidents.

Made from a blend of durable materials like carbon fiber and titanium, the skid block is built to endure the intense demands of F1 racing. During high-speed races, you’ve probably seen mesmerizing sparks fly as cars graze the track—those dramatic visuals are often thanks to this plank doing its job.

But this component isn’t just for show. It’s regulated strictly. If it wears down by more than 1mm during a race, the car can face disqualification, as it indicates an illegally low ride height. This rule keeps the playing field level while safeguarding drivers and their high-speed marvels.

In a sport where innovation takes center stage, the skid block quietly plays its part, balancing performance with safety. Next time you catch an F1 race, give a nod to this unsung hero sparking up the tracks.

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Chaos in Shanghai: Ferrari’s Nightmare at the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix

The 2025 Chinese Grand Prix will go down in history as a race filled with drama, heartbreak, and unexpected twists. Ferrari’s weekend, which began with high hopes, ended in disaster as both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc faced disqualification from the final results due to breaches of technical regulations.

For Hamilton, the issue lay beneath his car. Post-race inspections revealed that the rear skid block on his Ferrari fell short of the minimum thickness required by the FIA. Measurements showed 8.6mm on the left-hand side and centerline, and 8.5mm on the right-hand side—below the mandated 9mm minimum outlined in Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations. This seemingly minor infraction led to his disqualification, wiping out his hard-earned points.

Leclerc’s disqualification was equally crushing. Initially finishing fifth, his Ferrari was found to be underweight during post-race checks, violating the minimum weight limit. The Monegasque driver’s hopes of salvaging a strong result were dashed, leaving Ferrari reeling from the double blow.

Adding to the chaos, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly was also disqualified for the same weight breach as Leclerc. Gasly, who had finished 11th, saw his result nullified, marking a tough start to the season for Alpine, which remains the only team yet to score points in 2025.

The disqualifications triggered a reshuffling of the final standings. Esteban Ocon, Kimi Antonelli, Alex Albon, and Ollie Bearman all moved up two positions, while Lance Stroll and Carlos Sainz were elevated into the top 10 to claim the last points-paying spots.

Ferrari’s nightmare in Shanghai serves as a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of Formula 1 regulations. As the season progresses, teams will need to ensure meticulous compliance to avoid similar heartbreaks.

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What are the skid block rules?

A document released following the hearing reads: “The plank assembly of Car 44 was measured and found to be 8.6mm (LHS), 8.6mm (car centerline) and 8.5mm (RHS). This is below the minimum thickness of 9mm specified under Article 3.5.9 of the Technical Regulations.

“During the hearing the team representative confirmed that the measurement is correct and that all required procedures were performed correctly. The team also acknowledged that there were no mitigating circumstances and that it was a genuine error by the team.

“The Stewards determine that Article 3.5.9 of the FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations has been breached and therefore the standard penalty of a disqualification needs to be applied for such an infringement.”