Christian Horner breaks down in tears as he admits his ‘shock’ at being sacked by Red Bull in new footage of his goodbye speech to staff

Christian Horner broke down in tears as he bid farewell to the Red Bull team yesterday in a goodbye speech hours after being sacked by the Formula One giants.

Red Bull relieved Horner of his duties after a successful, and latterly controversial, 20-year run as their chief executive and team principal.

In February last year, the 51-year-old was accused of sexual harassment and coercive, controlling behaviour by a female employee. He was twice cleared, initially after an internal investigation conducted by a lawyer, and then by another lawyer who dismissed the female employee’s appeal.

Screenshots of WhatsApp messages supposedly between Horner and the employee were leaked online.

Horner’s wife, the former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, stood by her husband even as the accusations rocked the F1 paddock. Horner has strongly denied the claims.

Horner’s dismissal ends the longest reign of a Formula One team principal in the sport. And footage has emerged of the speech he gave to his Red Bull colleagues after finding out about his sacking a matter of hours earlier. 

An emotional Christian Horner broke down in tears as he waved goodbye to his Red Bull colleagues on Wednesday

The 51-year-old also hugged colleagues after they gave him a round of applause during speech

Horner, pictured with former Spice Girl wife Geri Halliwell, was subject to an investigation over sexting allegations last year

An emotional Horner said: ‘Yesterday I was informed by Red Bull that operationally I would no longer be involved with the business or the team moving forward from this gathering. 

‘I will still remain employed by the company but operationally the baton will be handed over.

‘That obviously came as a shock to myself. What I have had time to do is reflect over the last 12 hours or so. And I wanted to stand in front of all of you and express my gratitude to each and every single member of the team that has given so much during the last 20-and-a-half years that I’ve been here.

‘When I arrived 20 years ago, with fewer grey hairs, I walked into a team and I didn’t know what to expect. But I was immediately welcomed and, in two run-down buildings, we started to build what became a powerhouse in Formula One. Watching and being part of this team has been the biggest privilege in my life.’

Horner could then be seen attempting to speak again, before breaking down in tears and being applauded by the staff watching on. In the midst of last year’s controversy, he was told by his wife to make it ‘all go away’ — a feat he managed to pull off for 16 months. 

A file containing texts and images allegedly sent by Horner had been leaked to almost 200 people involved in Formula One, including owners Liberty Media, team principals and the media.

World champion Max Verstappen — whose father Jos has a strained relationship with Horner — wrote on X: ‘From my first race win, to four world championships, we have shared incredible successes. Winning memorable races and breaking countless records. Thank you for everything, Christian!’

Horner has been replaced by Laurent Mekies as team principal and chief executive, while Alan Permane will take over from Mekies as team principal of Red Bull’s sister team Racing Bulls.

Halliwell told Horner to make it ‘all go away’ – a feat he pulled off for 16 months before sacking

His No 1 driver Max Verstappen, who he worked with for 10 years, spoke out on social media 

Red Bull Group chief executive Oliver Mintzlaff said: ‘We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years.

‘With his commitment, experience and expertise, he has been instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful and attractive teams in Formula One. 

‘Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history.’

Red Bull are fourth in this season’s constructors’ standings, 288 points behind leaders McLaren.