Horner: Timeline of self destruction as Red Bull F1 team principal

The crisis began in December 2023 when a Red Bull female employee accused Horner of inappropriate behaviour. Though twice cleared by internal investigations, leaked WhatsApp messages reignited controversy, leading to public backlash and tension within the team.

Key figures, including Adrian Newey, Rob Marshall and Jonathan Wheatley, departed, while Jos Verstappen warned Horner’s presence risked tearing Red Bull apart. The words spoken last year in March by Max's father proved prophetic.

Behind the scenes, legal proceedings related to the 'sexting scandal' continued into 2025 as Red Bull’s on-track performance slumped, with Verstappen struggling, a second driver crisis and speculation over the Dutchman's future mounting.

Following a poor British Grand Prix showing, Horner was informed of his dismissal, and Laurent Mekies was appointed as his successor. Horner departs with a decorated legacy. Eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships—but the scandal and decline ultimately sealed his fate. His downfall is chronicled in Netflix's 'Drive to Survive' Season 7.

A female Red Bull employee lodges a complaint against Christian Horner, team principal of Red Bull Racing, alleging inappropriate and controlling behaviour. The complaint is reported to Red Bull GmbH, the parent company, but remains confidential at this stage.

Also in December, Rob Marshall departs Red Bull Racing, stepping down from his role as Chief Engineering Officer to join McLaren.

Red Bull GmbH confirms an independent investigation into Horner following allegations of inappropriate behavior by a female colleague. Horner, who has been team principal since 2005, denies the allegations and continues in his role during the investigation.

Horner meets with an external barrister in London for an eight-to-nine-hour interview regarding the allegations. The meeting takes place under significant scrutiny, with Red Bull’s 2024 car launch scheduled for February 15. No resolution is reached on this day.

Horner makes his first public appearance since the allegations at Red Bull’s 2024 car launch in Milton Keynes. He denies the accusations, calling them a “distraction” for the team, and emphasizes his focus on the upcoming season. He notes the team’s unity and support, with star driver Max Verstappen stating their relationship remains “very good.”

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff calls for transparency in Red Bull’s investigation, describing it as an issue for all of Formula 1. Ford CEO Jim Farley, whose company is set to partner with Red Bull in 2026, expresses frustration over the investigation’s duration and lack of transparency. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko defends the company’s approach, stating they are ensuring a fair investigation.

During pre-season testing in Bahrain, Horner faces the media in an official F1 press conference. He avoids detailed comments on the investigation, reiterating that he cannot discuss the process but hopes for a swift resolution.

Red Bull GmbH announces that the independent investigation, conducted by an external lawyer, has cleared Horner of all wrongdoing. The grievance is dismissed, though the complainant retains the right to appeal. The specific nature of the allegations remains undisclosed, and the report is kept confidential.

Just 24 hours after Horner’s clearance, an anonymous source leaks a Google Drive containing 79 documents, including WhatsApp messages and photos allegedly between Horner and the complainant, some of a sexually suggestive nature. The leak is sent to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, other team principals, and media outlets. The authenticity of the messages cannot be verified, and it’s unclear if they were part of the initial investigation. Horner refuses to comment on “anonymous speculation.”

Horner appears at the Bahrain Grand Prix alongside his wife, Geri Halliwell, presenting a united front. Max Verstappen wins the race, but the scandal overshadows Red Bull’s on-track success. Horner meets with Ben Sulayem and Domenicali to discuss the leaked messages.

Red Bull suspends the female employee who accused Horner, with full pay, describing it as an “internal matter.” The decision sparks controversy, with no further details provided by the team.

Jos Verstappen, father of Max Verstappen, tells the Daily Mail that Red Bull is “in danger of being torn apart” if Horner remains in his role, citing ongoing tension. This public criticism highlights internal rifts within the team.

The suspended female employee submits a formal appeal to Red Bull GmbH against the decision to clear Horner. The appeal process begins, prolonging the controversy.

Red Bull’s chief technology officer, Adrian Newey, announces his departure from the team, set for early 2025. Reports suggest the Horner scandal and internal politics, including Horner diminishing Newey’s role in media briefings, contributed significantly to his decision.

Red Bull’s sporting director, Jonathan Wheatley, who has been with the team since 2006, announces his departure to join the Audi F1 project. His exit is part of a series of high-profile departures.

Red Bull GmbH announces that the complainant’s appeal has been dismissed following a grievance procedure conducted by another independent lawyer. Horner is exonerated for the second time, and he expresses relief, stating the team can now focus on the future.

Red Bull experiences a significant performance downturn in the 2025 season, falling to fourth in the constructors’ standings. Max Verstappen, despite winning four consecutive drivers’ championships (2021–2024), struggles with an uncompetitive car, finishing fifth at the British Grand Prix and trailing championship leader Oscar Piastri by 69 points. Speculation grows about Verstappen potentially leaving for Mercedes, with performance-related exit clauses in his contract at risk of being triggered.

Reports emerge that the complainant has filed a new case against Horner in an employee tribunal court, though details remain limited. The ongoing legal proceedings continue to cast a shadow over Horner’s leadership.

Red Bull endures a poor performance at the British Grand Prix, with Verstappen finishing fifth and teammate Yuki Tsunoda in 15th. The team’s struggles intensify speculation about Horner’s future and Verstappen’s commitment to Red Bull.

Red Bull informs Horner of his dismissal as team principal and CEO on Tuesday evening, a decision that comes as a shock to the F1 paddock. No official reason is provided, but the move follows months of declining team performance and internal disputes.

Red Bull GmbH officially announces Horner’s departure, ending his 20-year tenure as team principal. Laurent Mekies, previously team principal at Racing Bulls, is appointed as Red Bull Racing’s CEO with immediate effect. Horner delivers an emotional farewell speech to staff at Red Bull’s Milton Keynes headquarters, with two senior management figures close to him also leaving the team.

Max Verstappen posts on social media, thanking Horner for their shared successes, including four world championships. Red Bull’s statement, issued by CEO Oliver Mintzlaff, praises Horner’s contributions but does not specify a reason for his dismissal.

The 2024 allegations and leaked messages created significant tension within Red Bull, with Jos Verstappen and Adrian Newey publicly or indirectly criticising Horner’s leadership. The scandal, though cleared, damaged his standing and contributed to a power struggle with Red Bull GmbH.

Red Bull’s fall to fourth in the 2025 constructors’ standings, coupled with Verstappen’s struggles, put pressure on Horner’s leadership. The departure of key personnel like Newey and Wheatley further weakened the team.

The death of Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz in 2022 led to ongoing internal conflicts, with Austrian and Thai factions within the company reportedly divided over Horner’s role.

Horner’s sacking marks the end of an era for Red Bull, where he led the team to six constructors’ championships, eight drivers’ championships, and 124 Grand Prix victories.

Laurent Mekies faces the challenge of reviving Red Bull’s fortunes and retaining Verstappen, whose future remains uncertain.

The scandal and its fallout are prominently featured in the seventh season of Netflix’s Formula 1: Drive to Survive, released in March 2025, capturing Horner’s reaction to the leaked messages and the team’s internal strife.

The Associated Press compiled a timeline of Horner's career in Formula 1, which began as the sport's youngest team principal in 2005 and developed Red Bull from a "party team" to a serial title winner.

Following the announcement by Red Bull on Wednesday that Horner had been fired after 20 years, here´s a look at his time in Formula 1:

An aspiring driver at the level below F1, Horner founds junior team Arden with his father. Horner gives up his driving career a year later but continues running Arden, whose strong results with other drivers create a buzz.

Ford wants to get out of F1 after five underwhelming years running a team under its Jaguar brand. Red Bull drinks company co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz leads a takeover and rebranding for 2005 and appoints Horner. He becomes F1's youngest team principal at 32.

Red Bull sheds its reputation as a publicity-hungry "party team" by taking its first F1 race win with Sebastian Vettel at the Chinese Grand Prix. The team has won 123 more races since then.

Vettel wins the first of four drivers' championships in a row, getting the better of Ferrari and his own Red Bull teammate Mark Webber, in what becomes an increasingly bitter rivalry.

Max Verstappen makes his debut for Red Bull after being promoted from its sister team Toro Rosso. The 18-year-old Dutch driver stuns F1 with victory in his first race for the team at the Spanish Grand Prix, becoming F1's youngest winner.

The first season of "Drive To Survive" airs on Netflix. It takes viewers behind the scenes of F1. Over the following years, it makes stars of executives like Horner and helps interest in F1 boom in the United States, in particular. Viewers get insights into his rivalry with Mercedes' Toto Wolff, and home life with his wife, singer Geri Halliwell.

Horner is a key figure in one of the most dramatic and controversial title fights in history as Verstappen beats Lewis Hamilton to the championship. A disputed decision on the final lap of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix deepens the feud between Horner and Wolff.

A season of record-breaking dominance sees Red Bull cars win all but one race all year. It's a third drivers' title for Verstappen and the sixth and most recent constructors' title for the team.

Before the season begins, F1 is shaken by reports Horner is under investigation for alleged inappropriate conduct toward a team employee. He remains in his post as two investigations launched by Red Bull dismiss the claim. Verstappen wins his fourth drivers' title, although Red Bull no longer has the fastest car by the end of the year.

Verstappen's future at Red Bull comes into question amid speculation he could leave for old rival Mercedes, while he struggles with an increasingly uncompetitive car and Red Bull tries to plan for a new era of F1 rules in 2026. Amid all this uncertainty, Horner is fired.