This just in: Christian Horner has been fired by Red Bull Racing after 20 years as team principal.
Horner, 51, has been replaced as CEO of Red Bull Racing with immediate effect by Laurent Mekies, who has been promoted from sister team Racing Bulls. Meanwhile, Alan Permane, who was RB’s racing director, will take on Mekies’ old job as team principal.
Insiders say staff at Red Bull were only told at 10am today, and that Horner himself was also only informed about the decision this morning.
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The reason for Horner’s dismissal has yet to be announced. Last year, he was accused of inappropriate behavior by a female colleague in a scandal that rocked the sport, but he was later cleared by an internal investigation, and that verdict was upheld on appeal.
It’s not clear if his sacking is related to that saga.
“The last year and a half has been an absolute privilege to lead the team with Peter [Bayer],” said Mekies (pictured below). “It has been an amazing adventure to contribute to the birth of Racing Bulls together with all our talented people. The spirit of the whole team is incredible, and I strongly believe that this is just the beginning.”
More as we get it.
NOTE: This story first appeared on TopGear.com. Minor edits have been made.
