Last updated: 18/12/2025

Red Bull Racing has been one of Formula 1’s most successful teams in recent years, claiming multiple world championships. However, behind its competitive achievements lies a series of notable leadership changes and internal tensions that have drawn significant attention from the global F1 community.

In 2025, Red Bull made headline-making decisions in its leadership structure, most notably the mid-season dismissal of Christian Horner, the long-serving team principal and CEO, and the announcement that long-time advisor Helmut Marko will not continue into 2026. This article explains the Red Bull power struggle, reviews key confirmed developments, and situates them within a broader understanding of leadership dynamics in modern Formula 1 teams.

What Is the Red Bull Power Struggle?

The term “power struggle” in this context refers to the leadership changes and public criticism between senior figures at Red Bull Racing, rather than a formal boardroom battle fought in public court filings or shareholder votes.

The most prominent moment came when Christian Horner was dismissed as team principal and CEO on 9th of July 2025 after more than 20 years in charge, a role he had held since Red Bull’s rise to consistent championship contention. His departure marked a clear leadership shift within the team.

Following this, long-time advisor Helmut Marko – a key architect of Red Bull’s driver development system and its competitive identity – was confirmed to be leaving the team ahead of the 2026 season, ending a tenure of two decades.

Christian Horner’s Dismissal: Facts and Context

Christian Horner’s exit from Red Bull Racing was one of the most high-profile leadership changes of the 2025 season. He had overseen an era of unprecedented success for the team, including multiple World Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships.

However, Red Bull announced that it had relieved Horner of his duties as team principal and CEO after the British Grand Prix in mid-2025, and leadership responsibilities were transferred to Laurent Mekies, who had previously served as team principal of Red Bull’s sister team, Racing Bulls.

Horner’s dismissal was widely reported as the result of accumulated internal pressure rather than a single triggering event. Multiple outlets pointed to concerns around governance, leadership style, and the growing perception of distraction at senior management level during a critical competitive phase. While Red Bull did not cite a specific sporting failure, the decision reflected a desire to stabilize the organization, reduce internal friction, and reassert clearer corporate oversight following an extended period of scrutiny and internal tension.

Helmut Marko’s Departure After 20 Years

Helmut Marko’s involvement in Red Bull spans back to the team’s early Formula 1 days. As a senior advisor, he played a central role in shaping Red Bull’s driver academy and strategic direction, including the development of several World Champions.

In late 2025, it was reported that Marko had been informed his role with Red Bull will not continue into 2026, marking the end of his direct influence on team operations.

Marko’s exit was linked to strategic realignment at senior level and a shift away from legacy influence within the organization. Reports indicated growing disagreement over leadership approach, communication style, and long-term direction, particularly as Red Bull prepared for the 2026 regulatory cycle. His departure marked a move toward streamlining decision-making and reducing overlapping authority, ending a long era in which individual influence played a central role in Red Bull’s sporting identity.

Driver Lineup and Internal Decisions

Red Bull has also seen notable personnel decisions in its driver ranks:

• Sergio Pérez’s contract was mutually terminated in late 2024, and he left the team before the 2025 season began.
• The team promoted Yuki Tsunoda from Red Bull’s sister outfit to partner Max Verstappen during the 2025 season, who is now being replaced by Isack Hadjar for the 2026 season.
• Meanwhile, Liam Lawson, who had initially been Verstappen’s teammate at the start of the season, was moved back to the sister team Racing Bulls.

These decisions reflect a period of adjustment within Red Bull’s broader driver strategy, tied to both performance and organisational priorities over the course of 2025.

Why These Changes Matter

Leadership stability is widely considered important for sustained success in Formula 1, a sport where engineering, strategy, and team cohesion all interact closely over long development cycles.

The removal of Christian Horner after a long tenure, and the end of Helmut Marko’s influential advisory role, represent significant shifts in Red Bull’s internal leadership and decision-making structure. While the team has continued to compete at a high level – including a notable late-season surge in performance, these changes mark a definitive evolution from the setup that guided Red Bull through most of its championship dominance.

Red Bull in the Context of Modern F1 Team Structures

While discussions about power struggles can sound dramatic, it’s important to place Red Bull’s situation in a broader context. Today’s Formula 1 teams are large, complex, corporate entities, often with multiple layers of leadership, technical departments, and commercial oversight – a far cry from the smaller, single-boss teams of earlier eras.

Red Bull’s organisational evolution – including its relationships with Racing Bulls (its AlphaTauri successor) and its technical and commercial leadership – mirrors trends across major teams in the sport. Even with internal disagreements, organisational restructuring is not unique to Red Bull, but part of how modern F1 teams adapt to competitive and regulatory pressures on and off the track.

How the Power Struggle Could Affect Red Bull’s Performance

In the short term, Red Bull Racing’s competitive position may remain largely unaffected. Established technical structures and performance momentum provide stability on track.

However, prolonged internal conflict carries potential long-term risks. These include:

• Reduced strategic alignment
• Challenges in retaining senior personnel
• Disruptions during major regulation changes
• Erosion of organizational cohesion

Formula 1 history suggests that dominant teams are not immune to decline if internal balance is lost, particularly during transitional periods like we are experiencing right now.

Conclusion

The Red Bull power struggle of 2025 represents a chapter of significant change within one of Formula 1’s most successful teams. Confirmed developments – including the dismissal of Christian Horner as team principal, the departure of Helmut Marko after two decades, and notable driver lineup shifts – underscore a period of realignment at the highest levels of team leadership.

While the term “power struggle” often carries dramatic connotations, the facts point to a broader organisational transition rather than public legal battles or shareholder warfare. How Red Bull’s leadership evolves under new management and in the lead-up to the 2026 regulatory era will continue to be closely watched by fans and competitors alike.

FAQ

What is the Red Bull power struggle?

• The Red Bull power struggle refers to internal leadership tension and restructuring within Red Bull Racing, highlighted by senior management changes, shifting authority, and governance realignment during a period of competitive success.

Why was Christian Horner dismissed from Red Bull Racing?

• Christian Horner was dismissed following sustained internal pressure related to governance, leadership alignment, and organizational stability rather than on-track performance issues.

Why did Helmut Marko leave Red Bull Racing?

• Helmut Marko’s departure was linked to strategic restructuring and a move to reduce long-standing individual influence as Red Bull prepared for future regulation cycles.

Did Red Bull’s internal issues affect its performance?

• Red Bull’s performance remained strong in the short term, but leadership instability poses long-term risks, especially during major technical and regulatory transitions.

Is Red Bull’s situation unusual in modern Formula 1?

• No. All modern Formula 1 teams are large corporate organizations, and internal power struggles are a common risk during periods of dominance and structural change.