Christian Horner is reportedly set to pocket a substantial settlement estimated at £50 million after his departure from the Red Bull Formula 1 team.
The 51-year-old was dismissed by the Austrian outfit on Tuesday, with Laurent Mekies promoted as the news was confirmed in Milton Keynes and announced globally the following day.
Horner’s reign at Red Bull comes to an end after 20 years, during which the team secured 14 World Championships across two decades.
However, with more than five years remaining on his contract, he is expected to secure a severance package valued at over £50 million.
Recent financial records reveal that the highest-paid director at Red Bull Technology – the company behind Red Bull Racing – earned £8.915 million in 2023.
This figure, believed to be Horner’s, represents a rise from £8.044 million the year before and likely increased further following Max Verstappen’s Drivers’ Championship victory.
Given this remuneration, his severance package following his departure could surpass £50 million, with some estimates suggesting it might approach £60 million once additional income streams are considered.
The Briton’s contributions went beyond operational leadership; he played a pivotal role in securing significant commercial partnerships for the team, including attracting sponsors such as Visa and Cash App to Red Bull’s sister F1 outfit, Racing Bulls.
While Horner’s salary as one of the top three earners at the team is understood to be exempt from Red Bull Racing’s cost cap, the treatment of his severance payout under current financial regulations remains uncertain.
This ambiguity arises because exemptions for Termination Benefits were only applied during the 2021 and 2022 financial years.
For reference, the F1 cost cap for the 2025 season is set at $140.4 million (approximately £104 million) and is scheduled to rise to $215 million (£159 million) in 2026 as various previously excluded expenses come under the cap.
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