Christian Horner seemed an indelible part of Formula 1, but after twenty years of considerable success, a dramatic dismissal ensued. A quick overview of Horner’s career in motorsport, from driver to CEO.
1991–1997: Early Career as a Driver
Horner began his racing career in formula cars, competing in the British Formula Renault and Formula 3 among others. However, a breakthrough eluded him.
1997–2003: Founding Arden International
At the age of 23, Horner decided to establish his own team: Arden International. As team boss (and initially also as a driver), he built the team into a dominant force in Formula 3000, the precursor to Formula 2.
2004: F3000 Championship Title
With driver Vitantonio Liuzzi, Arden won the F3000 championship in 2004. Horner caught the attention of the Formula 1 world.
2005: Beginning as Team Principal at Red Bull Racing
Red Bull took over the Jaguar team and appointed the then 31-year-old Horner as team principal. This made him the youngest team principal in the paddock.
2010–2013: Dominance with Vettel
Under Horner’s leadership and with Adrian Newey as the technical brain, Red Bull won four constructors’ titles in a row. Sebastian Vettel became a four-time world champion.
2014–2020: Challenging Years Following Regulation Changes
The switch to hybrid engines cost Red Bull ground. Mercedes dominated, but Horner and his loyal companions kept the team competitive. This was achieved in part by placing the young Max Verstappen, a prodigious talent, in the car.
2021–Present: Return to the Top with Verstappen
With Verstappen and a strong partnership with Honda, Red Bull returned to the top. Since 2021, Horner and Red Bull have been leading again, with multiple titles for both team and driver.
2024: Internal Pressure and Investigations
Despite sporting success, Horner came under fire due to an internal investigation into inappropriate behavior. He remained in position, but the pressure increased.
2025: Exit!
Red Bull’s performance in 2025 was disappointing, with Verstappen managing to limit the damage with pole positions and a few victories. However, the gap to McLaren was significant, and rumors of the Dutchman’s departure grew louder. Meanwhile, after Liam Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda also proved a major disappointment as the second driver. Red Bull’s leadership took action: Horner was dismissed immediately after the British GP on July 9, 2025.
