Christian Horner will no longer serve as Team Principal of Red Bull Racing. The team that the British manager helped found and led to multiple world titles has now been placed under the leadership of Laurent Mekies, who previously held a key role at Racing Bulls. Mekies’ former position has been taken over by Alan Permane, signaling a broader reshuffling within the Red Bull structure.
The decision to part ways with Christian Horner has sparked widespread reaction throughout the Formula 1 paddock, and among those weighing in is former Formula 1 driver and ex-FIA steward Johnny Herbert. Known for his outspoken views and a long history of strained relations with the Verstappen family, Johnny Herbert offered his perspective in an interview with EscapistMagazine.com.
“I’m not surprised that Christian Horner was sacked,” said Herbert. “Given everything that happened when the internal Red Bull investigation first made headlines — the same investigation that also led to the departure of legendary designer Adrian Newey — it was inevitable that at some point change was going to be needed. It took some time, but I believe this was ultimately the right decision for Red Bull.”
Herbert went on to emphasize the role that external partners played in the growing pressure on Horner, especially in the wake of the scandal that surrounded the team earlier this year.
“I know that Ford was not happy when the scandal became public,” Herbert continued. “From that moment on, Christian found himself in an increasingly untenable position within the organization. Things have moved quickly. I’m also aware that Jos Verstappen wanted Christian out of the team — and now it’s happened.”
But the British commentator and former driver is not entirely convinced that Horner’s removal will be enough to satisfy all parties — particularly Max Verstappen and those close to him.
“The Verstappen family now has everything they wanted,” Johnny Herbert said. “But I’m not sure it will be enough. There’s still a lot of work to be done at Red Bull. It could take three or four years to put everything back in place and get the team winning races again.”
Herbert also addressed the intensifying rumors surrounding Max Verstappen’s future, especially speculation linking him to Mercedes for the 2026 season.
“There are strong and persistent reports about Max possibly switching to Mercedes next season,” he added. “And I think that’s another clear sign of Red Bull’s current decline. This decision [to sack Horner] came as a shock to many people in Formula 1, but I believe it was the right call. The problems of the past were always going to be a burden for Red Bull.”
With the leadership of Red Bull Racing now undergoing a major transformation and Max Verstappen’s future still up in the air, Johnny Herbert’s comments add further weight to the view that the team is facing one of its most uncertain chapters since entering the sport.
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