Formula 1 team Red Bull Racing announced on Wednesday that it has fired its longtime team principal and CEO Christian Horner after two decades at the helm. Horner has been the longest-serving team principal in F1. Horner has been in charge of F1’s Red Bull team since 2005 and oversaw its dominant runs at the start of the 2010s and the current decade.

RB team principal Laurent Mekies will take over as the CEO of Red Bull Racing, who had been in charge of Red Bull’s junior F1 team. RB racing director Alan Permane will take over for Mekies as the team principal at RB.

Red Bull executive Oliver Mintzlaff said in a statement: “Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today and has appointed Laurent Mekies as CEO of Red Bull Racing. We would like to thank 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.”

In a post on X, wrote: “After 20 years with the Team, Christian Horner departs Oracle Red Bull Racing as Team Principal and CEO. We thank him for his tireless and exceptional work. He has been instrumental in building this Team into one of the most successful in F1, with eight Drivers’ Championships and six Constructors’ Championships. Thank you for everything Christian, you will forever remain an important part of our team’s history.”

Formula 1 also posted on X: “20 years, 14 titles An incredibly successful partnership comes to an end #F1 @redbullracing”

Sources within Red Bull told ESPN that the climate within the team has grown tense, made worse with their struggles on track this year and the uncertainty about star driver Max Verstappen.

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