Christian Horner delivers final Red Bull message as exit officially confirmed

Former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has released his final statement after officially agreeing to part ways with the company.

Horner was removed from his leading role within the Red Bull F1 team earlier this year after over 20 years in charge.

The Briton won multiple world championships with Red Bull, overseeing the dominant periods the team enjoyed with Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.

After a period of negotiations to agree his severance pay and gardening leave, Horner has now agreed his terms of exit and is no longer an employee of the company.

Horner released a lengthy statement reflecting on his period with the Milton Keynes-based squad.

“Leading Red Bull Racing has been an honour and privilege,” Horner said. 

“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. 

“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.”

Laurent Mekies has taken over at the helm of Red Bull ahead of the team's new era in 2026, when it will field its own engine for the first time.

Horner backed the Frenchman and the new team management set up to continue Red Bull's successful presence on the grid.

“I wish Laurent, Max [Verstappen], Yuki [Tsunoda] and all of the Red Bull Technology Group the very best for the future,” he said.

“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. 

“I would like to thank our incredible sponsors and partners for their unwavering support who have played a key role in all our success. 

“I would like to say a big thank you to the fans for their ongoing belief and without whom there would be no F1. 

“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 Yoovidyha 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.”