Red Bull CEO: “Too Many Distractions” Under Horner—Why We Had to Act

Mintzlaff defended the decisions as “necessary” to refocus the team and restore its competitive edge after a disastrous start to 2025—where Red Bull won just two of the first 12 races and fell 104 points behind McLaren.

The Problem: “We Lost Our Focus”

Mintzlaff didn’t mince words regarding the first half of 2025. “It simply not good. It didn’t meet our expectations,” he stated. He pointed to two key issues: off-track controversies creating a « climate of distraction, » and a performance collapse linked to the departures of technical pillars Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley.

“As a company, you have to make a decision: Do you give someone more time, or is it time for a new leader? We felt it was time for a change.”
— Oliver Mintzlaff, Red Bull GmbH CEO

The Solution: “A Necessary Reset”

Mintzlaff rejected the idea that firing Horner was a “risk,” calling it the only option to unify a fractured team. Under new Team Principal Laurent Mekies, the team saw a resurgence, with Verstappen winning 6 of the last 10 races post-Horner.

The Marko Controversy

Regarding Helmut Marko, Mintzlaff distanced the brand from the 82-year-old advisor’s public attacks on Horner. “Those words are Helmut’s responsibility. I disagree with his statements… we don’t air our laundry in public.” While Marko’s departure was officially his choice, Mintzlaff admitted the team needed to move on.

The Big Picture: 2026 and Beyond

Red Bull is now betting its future on the 2026 Ford-powered engine. The stakes are incredibly high: if the engine isn’t competitive, Max Verstappen—who has an exit clause for 2027—could walk away. “If we don’t give him a winning car, he’ll go. That’s fair,” Mintzlaff acknowledged.

The firing of Horner wasn’t just about the past; it was a desperate bid to save the future. “We know the stakes,” Mintzlaff concluded. “Now we have to deliver.”