Former Red Bull Team Principal and CEO Christian Horner has revealed that his sacking from the team last year felt like a “shit sandwich.”
After months of intense speculation, Red Bull Racing dismissed the controversial team principal following the2025 British Grand Prix. Bringing an end to his 20-year journey, marked by multiple world titles and sustained success.
This move ultimately started the reshaping of Red Bull’s leadership team. With Laurent Mekies replacing Horner, and Dr Helmut Marko also departing from the Milton Keynes outfit.
Although some Formula 1 fans had anticipated his exit, Horner insists the team’s decision and timing caught him off guard.
Speaking on the latest season of Drive to Survive, Horner detailed the events that led to his ‘abrupt’ exit.
“After the Austrian Grand Prix, we turned up at Silverstone and Max qualified on pole. But ended up finishing fifth,” Horner recalled.
“Twenty-four hours later, I was contacted to attend a meeting in London. Where they informed me that operationally, I was no longer, involved in the running of the Red Bull Formula 1 team.”
The Briton emphasised that he felt a sense of ‘betrayal’. Especially after he dedicated the past two decades of his career to the team.
“I feel a real sense of loss and hurt. It was all rather sudden, and I didn’t really get a chance to say a proper goodbye.
“I never imagined being in this position, and your immediate reaction when you’re delivered a shit sandwich like that is, ‘Fuck them’.
“I’ve had something taken away from me that wasn’t my choice, that was very precious to me.
“I only ever gave my best. I did my best for my team, for the people that I represented, but that performance this year hasn’t been as strong as previously.”
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