Red Bull make decision on Christian Horner’s future amid sacking rumours

Christian Horner will remain at the helm of Red Bull Racing for the rest of the decade after agreeing a new contract that runs until 2030.



Senior figures inside the Milton Keynes-based outfit have already communicated internally that the 51-year-old team principal will not be replaced, dismissing recent speculation that a change could come as early as the next round at Imola.



A Season of Slipping Dominance



Red Bull arrived in 2025 as four-time defending champions, yet the first six grands prix have yielded only one victory—Max Verstappen’s triumph at Suzuka. McLaren have swept the remaining races, exposing shortcomings in the RB21 that even Verstappen and long-time advisor Helmut Marko have publicly criticised.



The Dutchman sits 32 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri, while Red Bull trail badly in the constructors’ standings. That performance dip fuelled rumours that Horner might become the fall guy, but the team’s senior management see continuity as the quickest route back to the front.



Tensions Eased After 2024 Turmoil



Horner’s position looked fragile last year when a female employee accused him of “ ‘inappropriate behaviour’ ” and an internal investigation began. The Briton was ultimately cleared and kept his role, but the episode strained relations with both Verstappen’s camp and Marko. Over time, those fissures healed enough for everyone to pull in the same direction and help Verstappen claim a fourth consecutive drivers’ crown—albeit while Red Bull’s competitive edge began to erode.



400 Grands Prix and Counting



Imola will mark Red Bull’s 400th appearance, every one overseen by Horner since the team’s 2005 debut. Eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships underline his record, and insiders believe celebrating that milestone with stability—rather than upheaval—will boost morale as crucial upgrades arrive in the run-up to the European summer stretch.



Succession Stories Prove Premature



Austrian outlets recently floated former AlphaTauri boss Franz Tost and ex-Alpine chief Oliver Oakes as potential successors. While both names carry pedigree, sources close to Red Bull insist no discussions have taken place and that Horner’s fresh deal renders the shortlist redundant. The racing operation’s leadership structure—including CEO Oliver Mintzlaff and technical director Pierre Waché—remains unchanged.



Focus Shifts to Car Development



With McLaren exploiting the new aerodynamic regulations better than anyone, Red Bull’s priority is dragging performance from a car that Verstappen called “the most temperamental we’ve had since 2021.”



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A revised floor and lighter chassis are due before June; how quickly those parts translate into lap-time will determine whether Verstappen can fight for a fifth title and whether Red Bull can ward off Ferrari’s improving threat.



The Road Ahead



Horner’s renewed mandate brings clarity at a critical juncture. Stability on the pit wall should help engineers and drivers sharpen development focus rather than worry about leadership changes. Yet contract ink alone will not restore supremacy; only consistent podiums will silence the doubters for good.



As the team prepares to notch its 400th start in front of the passionate tifosi, the message is clear: Horner is staying, and Red Bull must now prove the decision right on track.
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