The 51-year-old was effectively sacked as Team Principal after his home Grand Prix in Silverstone in July of this year. Horner was replaced by Laurent Mekies, but technically remained employed by Red Bull until today.
Having been contracted with the team until 2030, Horner was expecting a £100 million payout, but it is understood that he took a reduced amount of £80 million with the hopes to return to the sport as soon as 2026.
Horner oversaw two periods of dominance with Red Bull, winning four consecutive driver and constructors championships from 2010-2013 with Sebastian Vettel and four more drivers championships with Max Verstappen from 2021-2024.
Horner says: “Leading Red Bull Racing has been an honour and privilege. When we started in 2005, none of us could have imagined the journey ahead – the championships, the races, the people, the memories. I’m incredibly proud of what we achieved as a team breaking records and reaching heights no-one would ever believe were possible and I will forever carry that with me.” (Sky Sports).
The beginning of the end came at the start of the 2024 Formula One season, where Horner was accused of inappropriately messaging a female colleague. The investigation concluded in the allegations being dismissed in the summer of 2024, with the former Red Bull Team Principal and CEO having denied accusations throughout.
Since then, many senior members of the Milton Keynes based team left, moving to other organisations across the paddock. Most notably, Former Chief Technical Officer Adrian Newey, departed in February 2025, joining Aston Martin the following month as a Managing Technical Partner.
Under Mekies’ leadership Red Bull has achieved two Grand Prix wins at Monza and Azerbaijan, and are looking stronger to take on McLaren in the championship battle.