Christian Horner’s final day as Team Principal of the Red Bull Formula 1 team has been revealed, amid an emotional farewell speech given to employees at its Milton Keynes base.
The 51-year-old was sensationally relieved of his operational duties as CEO and Team Principal on Wednesday, after 20 years in the role, taking over upon its inception.
During his tenure, Horner led the outfit to six Constructors’ Championships, eight Drivers’ titles, as well as 124 race wins and 287 podiums.
Laurent Mekies, Team Principal of sister outfit Racing Bulls, has already stepped in as his replacement on both fronts.
Late on Wednesday evening, details of Horner’s final speech at the team’s HQ were released, saying watching the team grow had “been the biggest privilege in my life.”
David Croft, lead commentator for Sky Sports F1, has revelead how the speech sent ripples through the gathering of staff present.
“From those that we’ve managed to speak to, it is a unified sense of disappointment and sadness at a man that they see has unified their team, who was never afraid to sit and have a chat to various people no matter what they did for the organisation,” he said.
“The speech that Christian Horner gave this morning to the factory we understand was hugely emotional.
“Christian himself was very emotional, and broke down on occasion.
“He received a massive ovation at the end of that speech from a workforce that are very loyal to him, because he has helped bring success, bonuses and world championship glory in terms of 14 world titles during his time as Team Principal.”
Croft also stated that Horner, who will be retained as an employee in an as-of-yet unknown capacity, left the Red Bull Technology Campus late in the morning.
“He drove out this morning at 11:25 AM,” Croft added. “He looked fairly impassive, just staring ahead in his car.
“There was no thumbs up, there were no waves. He drove out of the gates here for what now seems to be the final time.”
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