Red Bull has made sweeping changes behind the scenes in 2026, getting rid of key Formula 1 personnel from Christian Horner’s time with the team.
The Milton-Keynes-based team not only moves into the sport’s latest era this year but has also ushered in a new era for its own F1 operations.
The 2026 season will see the six-time Constructors’ Champions operate as an OEM for the first time in its history, partnering up with Ford to produce its own power units in conjunction with the new technical rule-set.
That said, it is also slated to enter its first full-time season campaign without Horner at the helm as CEO and Team Principal.
The Briton was given the sack in July last year after a drastic dip in performance for Red Bull on track, sending shockwaves throughout the paddock.
Horner, who had led the team from its very inception in 2005, was increasingly under pressure since early 2024 – owing to an inappropriate behaviour allegation levelled at him by a female staff.
While Horner was absolved after an internal, independent investigation by Red Bull GmbH, he had reportedly been at odds with Helmut Marko and the Verstappen camp.
He subsequently fell out of favour with the Austrian-half of the team leading to Oliver Mintzlaff pulling the plug on his employment.
Hot on the heels of Horner’s sacking his Group Chief of Marketing and Commercial Officer and Group Communications director, Oliver Hughes and Paul Smith, respectively, were also shown the exit doors.
![Isack Hadjar [pictured] has deferred to Max Verstappen for Day 2 of the F1 pre-season test. Image: Red Bull Content Pool](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Isack-Hadjar-Red-Bull-test-2026-1024x576.webp)
Red Bull cleaning the house for post-Christian Horner era
Horner’s departure also coincided with Laurent Mekies being given the call up to become the team’s CEO and Team Principal after heading its sister outfit, Racing Bulls during 2025.
It would now appear, that as the team prepares itself for 2026, it has started ‘weeding out’ the last remnants of Horner’s time at the team.
It is being widely reported that Red Bull has relieved at least four key administrative personnel who were a key part of Horner’s entourage during his 20-year-long stint.
Joanna Fleet, who served 13 years heading the team’s Human Resources wing has left the Milton-Keynes-based outfit.
Along with Fleet, the likes of Julia George (Director of Partnerships), Simon Smith-Wright (Group Marketing Director), and Sergio Perez’s former PR manager Alice Hedworth have all also departed.
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