Christian Horner and Red Bull Racing have now officially broken ties

Red Bull and Horner react: No more than memories remain

14:40, 22 Sep

byNorberto Mujica

Red Bull's CEO of Corporate and Investment Projects Oliver Mintzlaff and Christian Horner have reacted to the latter's official break from the Red Bull Racing structure.

Christian Horner, former Red Bull Racing CEO and Team Principal. Photo: RacePictures.

Christian Horner is no longer a part of Red Bull Racing. Photo: RacePictures.

I wish Laurent, Max, Yuki and all of the Red Bull Technology Group the very best for the future. I am confident they will, as ever, deliver success on the track.

- Christian Horner

Of his final and official departure from Red Bull Racing Horner said: “Leading Red Bull Racing has been an honour and privilege.

"When we started in 2005, none of us could have imagined the journey ahead — the championships, the races, the people, the memories.

“I’m incredibly proud of what we achieved as a team breaking records and reaching heights no-one would ever believe were possible and I will forever carry that with me.

Commenting on the mammoth task a racing team formed under the umbrella of Red Bull, an energy drinks company, successfully carried out, fighting off and beating established automotive brands such as Mercedes, Ferrari McLaren, to world championships, he counted that as his most cherished achievement with the team.

“However for me my biggest satisfaction has been assembling and leading the most amazing group of talented and driven individuals and seeing them flourish as a subsidiary of an Energy Drinks company and seeing them take on and beat some of the biggest automotive brands in the world."

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To Laurent Mekies, the man who now has the responsibility of bringing Red Bull Racing back to the front edge of the grid, and the whole of the Milton Keynes-based outfit, Horner wished nothing but the best, adding that he looks forward to seeing the team's 2026 F1 car hit the track as well as the ground-breaking Adrian Newey-designed RB17 road car.

“I wish Laurent, Max [Verstappen], Yuki [Tsunoda] and all of the Red Bull Technology Group the very best for the future. I am confident they will, as ever, deliver success on the track, for our fans, and continue to push to the maximum and I look forward to seeing the first Red Bull / Ford engine in the back of RB22 next year as well as the exciting RB17.

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Horner then remembered the late Dietrich Mateschitz, the man who gave him the chance to lead Red Bull's venture into Formula One racing.

“I would like to say a big thank you to the fans for their ongoing belief and without whom there would be no Formula One.

"Racing aside, I would also like to thank the shareholders, the late Dietrich Mateschitz for the opportunity he gave me as a 31 year old, Mark Mateschitz and Saravoot Yoovidhya and finally Chalerm and Daranee Yoovidhya for their friendship and commitment during my time at Red Bull as well as Oliver Mintzlaff and the Board for their guidance.”

Mintzlaff says thank you and farewell to Horner

Mintzlaff, CEO of Corporate Projects and Investments, said: “We would like to thank Christian 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.”

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