Horner Saga Update: FIA Confirms Red Bull DQ

The ongoing fallout from the Christian Horner controversy took a fresh turn this week, with the female employee who accused the former Red Bull team principal of inappropriate behaviour now confirmed to have left the team entirely.

Sources close to the Milton Keynes outfit indicate the staff member, whose identity remains protected, has transitioned to a new role outside Formula 1. This move comes just weeks after Horner’s abrupt dismissal in early July 2025, following a turbulent season marked by internal strife and slipping on-track results.

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, speaking to Sky Germany, pinned Horner’s exit mainly on performance issues, citing the team’s slide from dominance. With Max Verstappen still leading the drivers’ standings but facing stiffer challenges from McLaren’s Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, the squad has named Laurent Mekies as the new CEO to steady the ship.

The original allegations surfaced in 2024, leading to an internal probe that initially cleared Horner, though appeals and leaks kept the story alive. His sacking, however, shifted focus to broader team woes, including Adrian Newey’s departure to Aston Martin and questions over Sergio Pérez’s seat, now held by Daniel Ricciardo for the remainder of 2025.

Insiders suggest the accuser’s departure closes one chapter, but Red Bull’s rebuild under Mekies will be tested at the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix, where Verstappen aims to extend his points lead amid growing rival pressure.