The scale of Red Bull’s payout to Christian Horner has surfaced in the team’s own filings. Red Bull Technology’s 2025 accounts, newly filed at Companies House, disclose £66.988 million as compensation for loss of office, with another £9.029 million in remuneration, taking the package to just over £76 million.

The figures were reported by IBTimes UK, which noted the accounts belong to Red Bull Racing’s immediate parent company. Horner was removed on 9 July 2025, days after the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, having spent two decades as Red Bull Racing team principal and chief executive.

His departure came more than a year after a female employee alleged inappropriate behaviour against him. He denied any wrongdoing and was cleared by two separate internal investigations.

Red Bull Racing’s own accounts separately list £33.494 million in compensation for loss of office, a subsidiary disclosure that sits inside the £66.988 million group figure rather than on top of it. IBTimes UK noted that posts claiming a £100 million payout had conflated the two filings.

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Mekies locked in until 2031

The accounts emerged days before Red Bull confirmed on 14 October that Laurent Mekies, promoted from Racing Bulls to replace Horner in July 2025, had signed a long-term extension through the 2031 season.

“I am incredibly proud to continue this journey with Oracle Red Bull Racing, and I would like to thank Chalerm, Mark, and Oliver, the entire team, and everyone involved for the trust they have placed in the project,” Mekies said.

Red Bull’s shareholders described Mekies as having “played a crucial role in guiding the team through an important period of transition while maintaining the competitive spirit”.

Verstappen: “It is less stressful”

Max Verstappen, who won all four of his drivers’ titles under Horner, offered his verdict on the new regime in comments to the Press Association earlier this month.

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“To be honest, I like to see people get on. It is not nice when you constantly have tension between people,” the Dutchman said.

“It is less stressful. We are all leading a stressful life, and when you can take a bit of stress out at times, it is good.”

Asked about speculation over Horner returning to the grid, Verstappen told the agency: “He has shown he did a good job… but it’s also not my problem or concern.”

Horner has been linked with a return to the grid since his exit, but no team has announced him in any role. The next full set of Red Bull Technology accounts covering the post-Horner year will be filed in 2027.

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