Purple Bull rapidly and successfully fired longtime CEO and crew principal Christian Horner.
Horner has been in cost for Purple Bull for the previous 20 years since getting into the game as a brand new constructor in 2005. Nevertheless, a Purple Bull spokesman confirmed to the racer that “Purple Bull launched from his operational obligations at this time (July 9, 2025) by Christian Horner from his operational obligations.”
Purple Bull appointed Laurent Mekies as CEO of Purple Bull Racing, and the principal of the Racing Bulls crew was changed by Alan Permae’s earlier function.
Horner confronted an off-track investigation into his actions towards workers final yr, and for the previous 18 months the crew has slipped out of competitiveness. Regardless of successful final yr’s Drivers Championship, Max Burstappen, the crew completed third within the 2024 Constructors rankings and now fourth behind McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes, whereas Verstappen is Oscar Piastri, who has 69 factors on this yr’s title struggle.
There have additionally been many well-known departures within the type of Adrian Newey, as crew principal from Aston Martin and former sports activities director Jonathan Wheatley.
The choice to take away Horner ended the longest reign of the presently employed crew principal, with Purple Bull successful eight driver championships, six constructor titles and 124 races rep.
“I want to thank Christian Horner for his distinctive work over the previous 20 years,” mentioned Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO of Company Tasks and Investments. “His tireless dedication, expertise, experience and progressive pondering helped him set up Purple Bull Race as some of the profitable and enticing groups in Method 1.
“Thanks to every part, Christian. You’ll stay an necessary a part of our crew’s historical past.”
Horner’s departure is available in 2026 when there was important hypothesis about Verstappen’s future, linked to its journey to Mercedes. Dutchman has performance-based clauses in contracts that may be moved earlier than the tip of the present transaction, which runs till 2028.
Mekies was promoted from Racing Bulls, who served as Group Principal within the second spell since early 2024, and served as Deputy Group Principal and Racing Director from Ferrari. Previous to that, he labored for the FIA, grew to become a deputy race director, and started his Method 1 profession with Arrows in 2001, becoming a member of Minardi earlier than his takeover and rebranding as Toro Rosso.
