Christian Horner departs Red Bull after twenty years with £67m payout

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 16:32 · Archive

Christian Horner was dismissed as Red Bull Racing's chief executive and team principal in July 2025 after leading the team for two decades. He received a £67 million payout. Horner, 52, described his departure as "particularly brutal and sad", saying that the group had become his "extended family". He noted that he now maintains a reasonable relationship with Oliver Mintzlaff, the CEO of corporate projects at Red Bull, who recently thanked him for his work with the engine.

Horner attributed his dismissal to an internal power struggle and declining team performance. He stated that it was "more focused on performance and the future" rather than the texting scandal involving a female employee that emerged in 2024. He was cleared of misconduct following that incident in two separate internal investigations, and has always denied the allegations, which involved intimate messages and photographs leaked ahead of the 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix.

Horner's exit was compounded by personal tragedy. His ex-wife, Beverley Allen, died from eye cancer just a week before his departure. Horner shares a daughter, Olivia, with Allen. He said he did not fully process his dismissal until a month later, as he initially focused on supporting his daughter through her grief.

How it is being reported

• Christian Horner reveals impact of Red Bull axe and £67m payoutChristian Horner has described his departure from Red Bull Racing as "particularly brutal and sad", after a £67million payout.Oxford Mail · 16 Oct, 16:00
• Christian Horner reveals impact of Red Bull axe and £67m payoutChristian Horner has described his departure from Red Bull Racing as "particularly brutal and sad", after a £67million payout.Oxfordshire Guardian · 16 Oct, 16:00

In this story: Christian Horner · Red Bull Racing · Oliver Mintzlaff · Beverley Allen

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