Christian Horner is set to receive a payout exceeding £80 million from Red Bull following his abrupt removal from the Formula 1 team after a 20-year tenure. Laurent Mekies took over Horner’s roles as team principal and chief executive after the British Grand Prix, leading to Horner’s departure pending a settlement due to his long-term contract with Red Bull GmbH.
Official documents filed with Companies House on August 14 confirmed Horner’s termination as director of the UK-registered companies associated with the racing team, marking the conclusion of his ties with Red Bull. The settlement agreement between Horner and Red Bull will see him compensated handsomely as his contract, originally scheduled until 2030, is terminated prematurely.
Horner, who joined Red Bull at the age of 31 in 2005, oversaw the team’s impressive ascent in the F1 world, securing multiple drivers’ and constructors’ championships. However, tensions with Austrian management escalated following the passing of co-owner Dietrich Mateschitz, ultimately leading to Horner’s exit. Despite his successes, Horner will now enter a gardening leave period as customary in F1 before potentially returning to the paddock in the middle of the upcoming season.
While speculation surrounds Horner’s future team prospects, options seem limited at present, with figures like Flavio Briatore and new entrant Cadillac showing no interest in collaborating with him. Meanwhile, Mekies, Horner’s successor, has already made an impact with back-to-back victories for Max Verstappen, positioning Red Bull for a strong performance next season as they transition into a works team partnering with Ford for engine development.