Christian Horner sacked by Red Bull after 20 years as principal at F1 team

Formula 1 team Red Bull Racing has sacked Christian Horner as the team principal and chief executive after 20 years in charge, it said in a statement Wednesday.

Formula 1 team Red Bull Racing has sacked Christian Horner as the team principal and chief executive after 20 years in charge, it said in a statement Wednesday.

Horner was the longest-serving and among the most successful team leaders in Formula 1 history, having been with Red Bull since its inception in 2005 and leading the team to 124 wins, eight drivers' championships and six constructors' titles.

The sudden firing of Horner is a seismic moment in Formula 1, and it will fuel speculation about the future of its reigning world champion, Max Verstappen.

“From my first race win, to four world championships, we have shared incredible successes,” Verstappen said on Instagram. “Winning memorable races and breaking countless records. Thank you for everything, Christian!”

Verstappen has been courted by rival teams, most notably Mercedes last year. His hopes of winning a fifth world championship this year are fading as the once-dominant Red Bull car has been outpaced by McLaren, whose drivers rank first and second in the championship standings. Verstappen is a distant third and still mathematically in contention, although he has sounded pessimistic about his prospects. He has also declined to discuss his future when reporters have asked about it at recent races.