Christian Horner has been sacked as Red Bull team principal after 20 years in the role. The 51-year-old has been in charge of the Formula 1 team since their inception in 2005, leading them to eight drivers' championship and six constructors' championship titles.

Christian Horner is out as Red Bull’s F1 team boss after 20 years and eight titles. The team gave no reason for the midseason move — but it comes amid on-track struggles, Verstappen drama and past controversy.

Reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen has backed his former Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez for a return to the paddock in 2026. Perez drove alongside the Dutchman between 2021 and 2024, where he helped to return Christian Horner's F1 outfit to championship success with back-to-back constructors' titles in 2022 and 2023.

George Russell and Kimi Antonelli remaining without contracts for next season at Mercedes, Red Bull’s struggles in recent weeks, and reporting that Verstappen was inching closer to a shocking move to Mercedes — the paddock has been ablaze with speculation about the four-time champion’s future.

Max Verstappen says he doesn’t “know anything about” rumours that Red Bull team principal Christian Horner could resign from his role. It comes amid mounting rumours that Verstappen could walk away from Red Bull to join Mercedes for the F1 2026 season.