Christian Horner's incredible payout after leaving Red Bull

Parting ways

Parting ways, Salary rise, Horner axed, Starting in 2005, "Instrumental", Bringing the curtain down, Vettel period, Max Verstappen, Scandals, Inappropriate behaviour, Key figures leaving, Unhappy with recent results, Will he stay now?

Red Bull and Christian Horner decided to part ways on July 9, 2025, but the Austrian team could now be forced to hand the former team principal a gigantic payout.

Salary rise

Parting ways, Salary rise, Horner axed, Starting in 2005, "Instrumental", Bringing the curtain down, Vettel period, Max Verstappen, Scandals, Inappropriate behaviour, Key figures leaving, Unhappy with recent results, Will he stay now?

According to Planet F1, Horner's salary had risen from £8.04 million ($10.9m/€9.3m) in 2022 to £8.92 million (12.3m/€10.3m) in 2023, with his contract set to expire in 2030.

Horner axed

Parting ways, Salary rise, Horner axed, Starting in 2005, "Instrumental", Bringing the curtain down, Vettel period, Max Verstappen, Scandals, Inappropriate behaviour, Key figures leaving, Unhappy with recent results, Will he stay now?

Red Bull sacked Horner with immediate effect after 20 years as the principal of the Formula One team.

Starting in 2005

Parting ways, Salary rise, Horner axed, Starting in 2005, "Instrumental", Bringing the curtain down, Vettel period, Max Verstappen, Scandals, Inappropriate behaviour, Key figures leaving, Unhappy with recent results, Will he stay now?

Horner was the longest-reigning Formula One team principal, having taken charge of Red Bull in their inaugural year, 2005.

"Instrumental"

Parting ways, Salary rise, Horner axed, Starting in 2005, "Instrumental", Bringing the curtain down, Vettel period, Max Verstappen, Scandals, Inappropriate behaviour, Key figures leaving, Unhappy with recent results, Will he stay now?

"With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise, and innovative thinking, he has been instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful and attractive teams in Formula 1."

Bringing the curtain down

Parting ways, Salary rise, Horner axed, Starting in 2005, "Instrumental", Bringing the curtain down, Vettel period, Max Verstappen, Scandals, Inappropriate behaviour, Key figures leaving, Unhappy with recent results, Will he stay now?

The sacking of Horner brings the curtain down on one of the most successful yet tumultuous careers in F1, spanning from championship wins to employee scandals.

Vettel period

Parting ways, Salary rise, Horner axed, Starting in 2005, "Instrumental", Bringing the curtain down, Vettel period, Max Verstappen, Scandals, Inappropriate behaviour, Key figures leaving, Unhappy with recent results, Will he stay now?

Horner oversaw two periods of dominance during his spell with Red Bull, with Horner and Sebastian Vettel figure-heading four consecutive Drivers' Championships and Constructors' Championships between 2010 and 2013.

Max Verstappen

Parting ways, Salary rise, Horner axed, Starting in 2005, "Instrumental", Bringing the curtain down, Vettel period, Max Verstappen, Scandals, Inappropriate behaviour, Key figures leaving, Unhappy with recent results, Will he stay now?

Horner developed Max Verstappen into one of the most significant drivers of all time, leading him to four consecutive world championship victories, with his most recent one coming in 2024.

Scandals

Parting ways, Salary rise, Horner axed, Starting in 2005, "Instrumental", Bringing the curtain down, Vettel period, Max Verstappen, Scandals, Inappropriate behaviour, Key figures leaving, Unhappy with recent results, Will he stay now?

Over the past 18 months, despite winning the championship in 2024, Red Bull has faced scandals and numerous changes, leading Max Verstappen to develop resentment towards the former team boss.

Inappropriate behaviour

Parting ways, Salary rise, Horner axed, Starting in 2005, "Instrumental", Bringing the curtain down, Vettel period, Max Verstappen, Scandals, Inappropriate behaviour, Key figures leaving, Unhappy with recent results, Will he stay now?

According to Sky Sports, there were allegations of inappropriate behaviour made against him in February 2024 by a female colleague, but they were dismissed following an appeal last summer.

Key figures leaving

Parting ways, Salary rise, Horner axed, Starting in 2005, "Instrumental", Bringing the curtain down, Vettel period, Max Verstappen, Scandals, Inappropriate behaviour, Key figures leaving, Unhappy with recent results, Will he stay now?

Red Bull has seen several high-profile figures leave over the past 18 months, including legendary designer Adrian Newey, who joined Aston Martin, and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley, who joined Sauber.

Unhappy with recent results

Parting ways, Salary rise, Horner axed, Starting in 2005, "Instrumental", Bringing the curtain down, Vettel period, Max Verstappen, Scandals, Inappropriate behaviour, Key figures leaving, Unhappy with recent results, Will he stay now?

Verstappen has grown increasingly unhappy with the recent turmoil in the paddock and the team's recent track results, with Red Bull trailing McLaren by a staggering 288 points in the Constructors' Championship.

Will he stay now?

Parting ways, Salary rise, Horner axed, Starting in 2005, "Instrumental", Bringing the curtain down, Vettel period, Max Verstappen, Scandals, Inappropriate behaviour, Key figures leaving, Unhappy with recent results, Will he stay now?

There have been rumours of Verstappen joining Mercedes in recent weeks due to the turmoil at his current team, but with Horner gone and Laurent Mekies taking over, Verstappen may consider staying with the team.  It may also appease his father, Jos, who publicly showed his disgruntlement towards Horner.

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