International (non-English) media also responded with shock these past few days to Christian Horner’s dismissal as Red Bull Racing team principal after 20 years, reporting it as a seismic moment not only for the team but for Formula 1 too.
Italian outlets framed the move as a delayed fallout from the 2024 'sexting scandal' and a bid to retain Max Verstappen, while praising Horner’s legacy and highlighting Laurent Mekies’ appointment.
German coverage focused on Red Bull’s decline, Verstappen’s discontent, and internal power struggles, calling the sacking a “bombshell.”
Dutch media zeroed in on Verstappen’s uncertain future, with outlets suggesting the team’s fall from form and Jos Verstappen’s criticisms played a role. Austrian reports echoed similar themes of internal tension and performance drop, linking Horner’s removal to Red Bull’s wider instability.
Across all languages, Mekies’ promotion was seen as a strategic pivot toward 2026, while Verstappen’s loyalty remained in question. The consensus: the end of the Horner era and a defining crossroads for Red Bull Racing.
The end of an era
The top five Italian websites for Formula 1 news - Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, Autosprint, Motorsport Italia, and FormulaPassion - report Horner’s sacking, calling it am end of an era for Red Bull.
Gazzetta dello Sport frames it as a surprising move linked to the 2024 “sextgate” scandal, despite Horner’s clearance, and Red Bull’s attempt to retain Max Verstappen amid his rumoured exit to Mercedes. It highlights Horner’s legacy of eight drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships, noting Laurent Mekies, ex-Racing Bulls principal, as his successor.
Corriere dello Sport emphasises Horner’s emotional farewell speech, expressing shock, and ties the decision to Red Bull’s 2025 struggles (fourth in constructors’ standings, two wins) and key departures like Adrian Newey. It notes Mekies’ promotion and Alan Permane’s new role at Racing Bulls.
Jos Verstappen
Autosprint delves into technical implications, citing Red Bull’s performance dip (Verstappen trailing Oscar Piastri by 69 points) and internal power struggles with Red Bull GmbH’s Oliver Mintzlaff. It praises Mekies’ Ferrari background as a strategic fit for 2026 engine regulations.
Motorsport Italia provides a global perspective, detailing Horner’s July 8 dismissal notification and July 9 farewell, alongside Red Bull’s official statement thanking him. It underscores internal tensions, including Jos Verstappen’s 2024 criticisms, and Verstappen’s potential departure.
FormulaPassion calls it the “end of an era,” celebrating Horner’s 124 Grand Prix wins while speculating the sacking aims to stabilize Red Bull amid Verstappen’s exit clauses and Newey’s loss.
All outlets agree the decision, driven by poor results, internal conflicts, and personnel exits, marks a pivotal moment. Mekies’ appointment is seen as a nod to his expertise and experience, with focus on Red Bull’s future competitiveness and Verstappen’s uncertain loyalty.
German media stunned by Horner bombshell
The top five German-language Formula 1 news outlets - Bild, Auto Motor und Sport, Motorsport-Total, Sport1, and Motorsport-Magazin - report Horner’s sacking as a stunning development after 20 years.
Bild calls it a bombshell, citing Red Bull’s decision, backed by owners Chalerm Yoovidhya, Mark Mateschitz, and Helmut Marko, amid the team’s 2025 struggles (fourth in constructors’ standings, two wins) and the 2024 “sexgate” scandal, despite Horner’s clearance. It notes Laurent Mekies’ appointment as successor and speculation about Max Verstappen’s potential Mercedes move.
Auto Motor und Sport focuses on technical fallout, linking the sacking to Red Bull’s performance dip (Verstappen trailing Oscar Piastri by 69 points) and departures like Adrian Newey. It highlights internal conflicts with Oliver Mintzlaff and Mekies’ Ferrari experience as key for 2026 regulations.
Sport1 emphasises Red Bull’s decline and tensions, including Jos Verstappen’s 2024 criticisms, while celebrating Horner’s 124 Grand Prix wins and noting Mekies’ immediate start.
Tensions ran high for over a year at Red Bull
Motorsport-Total details Horner’s emotional July 9 farewell after his July 8 dismissal, citing Red Bull’s vague statement and Verstappen’s frustrations. It notes Mekies’ promotion and Alan Permane’s new role at Racing Bulls.
Motorsport-Magazin underscores Horner’s legacy (eight drivers’ titles, six constructors’ championships) and the sacking’s timing amid Red Bull’s woes, with Verstappen’s future uncertain.
All outlets agree the decision stems from poor results, internal disputes, and key personnel losses, with Mekies’ appointment seen as a strategic move.
The German media collectively view this as a pivotal moment for Red Bull’s competitiveness and Verstappen’s loyalty.
Dutch media focused on the question mark over Verstappen's future
The top Dutch-language Formula 1 news outlets also dedicated extensive coverage of the Horner saga, collectively describing the development as a major shock, particularly given Max Verstappen’s prominence. Their driver!
AD highlights Red Bull’s 2025 struggles (fourth in constructors’ standings, two wins) and the 2024 “sexgate” scandal, despite Horner’s clearance, noting Laurent Mekies’ appointment and Verstappen’s potential Mercedes move.
NU.nl focuses on Red Bull’s decline, Verstappen’s frustration (69 points behind Oscar Piastri), and key departures like Adrian Newey, alongside Mekies’ promotion.
RTL Nieuws emphasizes Horner’s 20-year legacy (eight drivers’ titles, six constructors’ championships) and internal tensions, including Jos Verstappen’s 2024 criticisms. De Telegraaf underscores a possible “heated exchange” between Horner and Jos Verstappen, as per grandprix247.com, linking the sacking to Red Bull’s poor performance and Verstappen’s uncertain future.
Unacceptable inner team tensions and decline in performance
GPUpdate details Horner’s 124 Grand Prix wins, Red Bull’s personnel losses (Newey, Jonathan Wheatley), and Mekies’ Ferrari background.
All outlets agree the sacking stems from Red Bull’s 2025 woes, internal disputes, and efforts to retain Verstappen. Mekies’ appointment is seen as a strategic move for 2026.
It was a similar theme among Austria’s top Formula 1 outlets reporting Christian Horner’s sacking as a major shock. ORF notes the decision by CEO Oliver Mintzlaff, backed by Mark Mateschitz and Helmut Marko, amid Red Bull’s 2025 struggles (fourth in constructors’, 172 points).
Kronen Zeitung highlights internal tensions and Jos Verstappen’s 2024 criticisms. Motorsport Austria details Horner’s 124 Grand Prix wins and Verstappen’s potential Mercedes move.
Laola1 focuses on Horner’s emotional farewell and Newey’s exit. Kleine Zeitung emphasises Mekies’ Ferrari background. All cite Red Bull’s decline and Verstappen’s future.
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