Red Bull‘s recent corporate activity in Austria gives a revealing insight into the potential cause behind the timing of Christian Horner’s dismissal from the Formula 1 team.
The Milton Keynes-based squad announced on Wednesday that its board had decided to part ways with Horner with immediate effect.
The 51-year-old entered the paddock with Red Bull in 2005 and led them to six Constructors’ titles and eight Drivers’ titles as its CEO and Team Principal.
But with the team’s faltering performances, big-name exits, and a supposed rift between Horner and Max Verstappen’s camp, the Briton’s future at the team looked capricious.
That said, Red Bull’s corporate filings in Austria have shed some light on how Horner’s two-decade-long tenure at the helm of the team’s affairs might have come to an end.
Earlier this year, the team’s parent company, Red Bull GmbH, filed documents indicating a change in its shareholding pattern.
Chalerm Yoovidhya, the son of Red Bull’s co-founder Chaleo Yoovidhya, officially gave up a 2 per cent stake in the company.
What this entailed was the Yoovidhya family’s majority stake in Red Bull coming to an end for the first time since the company’s inception in the 1980s.
Dietrich Mateschitz and Yoovidhya had both retained a 49 per cent stake in Red Bull, with the remaining 2 per cent with the latter’s son until 2025.
As it turns out, those particular 2 per cent of shares are now held by Swiss investment company Fides Trustees.
Why is this important in the context of Horner?
Well, while it was being widely reported that the Briton had fallen out with the Austrian side’s top brass, he had retained the full backing of the Yoovidhyas.
With the family’s majority shareholding diluted, it can be assumed that the board was now finally able to relieve Horner from his duties.
Horner reflects on ‘incredible journey’ with Red Bull
It would appear that Horner was blindsided by the board’s decision.
His farewell speech to the staff at MK7 was also reported to be emotionally charged, with the 51-year-old breaking down while addressing the squad for one final time.
He later ventured onto his official Instagram account to pen his statement after relinquishing his role with the team.
“After an incredible journey of twenty years together, it is with a heavy heart that today I say goodbye to the Team I have absolutely loved,” he wrote.
“Every one of you, the amazing people at the factory, have been the heart and soul of everything that we have achieved.
“Win and lose, every step of the way, we have stood by each other as one and I will never forget that.
“It’s been a privilege being part of and leading this epic Team and I am so proud of our collective accomplishments and you all.
“It’s been an honour to be part of this incredible era of motorsport.
“I leave with immense pride in what we’ve achieved and also with what’s in the pipeline for 2026 – and huge respect for everyone who’s made F1 the pinnacle it is today. Thank you”
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