Christian Horner named in New Year's Honours List by King Charles III

Christian Horner has been awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in King Charles III’s New Year Honours list. The team boss led Red Bull Racing through a record-breaking season in 2023, winning 21 out of 22 Grands Prix.

Horner’s team didn’t just break records, they surpassed them significantly. The RB19 was the most dominant car in Formula 1’s history. Max Verstappen won his third consecutive World Championship, with Sergio Perez securing the team’s first-ever one-two finish in the standings. Red Bull also won the Constructors’ Championship for the second year in a row and for a sixth time overall.

Horner elevated through the ranks 

It’s not the first time Horner has been included in such a list. Back in 2013, Horner was awarded an OBE [Officer of the British Empire] in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. This was during Red Bull’s first period of dominance, with Sebastian Vettel winning four consecutive World titles. 

Horner has now moved up to CBE for his services to motorsport. “It was an unexpected distinction a decade ago to be presented with an OBE, and to receive this second award, a CBE, is one for which I am hugely grateful and deeply honoured,” CEO Horner reacted to the news.

“It is a great privilege to lead and work alongside such a phenomenal team as Oracle Red Bull Racing and also to work in an industry that contributes so much to the UK economy. I am enormously proud of what we have achieved with Red Bull in Formula 1 and in the wider high technology arena. I am hugely honoured to be recognised for that effort.” 

Horner joins several illustrious names in Formula 1 who have been awarded a CBE in the past. These names include Ron Dennis and Nigel Mansell. Adrian Newey, who also played a key part in creating the RB19, was awarded an OBE in 2012 for his services to motorsport. Sir Lewis Hamilton was knighted after being named in the 2021 New Year's Honours list. 

Horner’s career in Motorsport

Horner started karting at a young age, and the British driver moved on to the Formula Renault championship. In 1993, Horner entered the British Formula 3 championship and, after a few years, also drove in British Formula 2 before moving to Arden in Formula 3000 in 1997. A year in which the foundation would be laid for the future after a strange but later extremely important encounter with Helmut Marko.

Two seasons in Formula 3000 later, Horner thought it was enough: the Briton went on to manage the team instead of driving himself. He immediately succeeded as manager in 2000, and the link with Red Bull Racing would only strengthen in 2004.

Antonio Liuzzi drove for Arden together with Robert Doornbos, with the former placed there by Helmut Marko as part of the junior program of Red Bull Racing. The Italian dominated the season and got a (small) role in Formula 1 the following year at Red Bull, who had taken over Jaguar and were now on the F1 grid.

Christian Horner, who initially attempted to buy Jordan in order to be on the F1 grid, was appointed by Helmut Marko as team principal of the brand-new side, becoming the youngest team principal ever. At first, Red Bull Racing wasn't taken seriously ('It's just an energy drinks manufacturer, we make cars'), but within a few years, that would no longer be the case.

Vettel just missed out on the title in 2009 but won four titles on the trot from 2010 onwards. Christian Horner, who just turned 36, became the youngest team principal ever in the history of Formula 1 to celebrate a title in the pinnacle of motorsport.

Horner and Red Bull had to acknowledge Mercedes’ dominance between 2014 and 2020. But it was the British team boss who galvanised his troops and put an end to Mercedes’ run of success. Red Bull have now won the last three drivers’ titles and the previous two Constructors’ titles. They are favourites to win again in 2024, and it would also take a brave person to bet against them in 2025.