Christian Horner is moving on from Red Bull Racing Formula 1.
The husband of Spice Girls singer Geri Halliwell has been fired from his position as the team’s principal and CEO after 20 years in the position, Red Bull confirmed in a July 9 statement.
“Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today and has appointed Laurent Mekiesas CEO (chief executive) of Red Bull Racing,” the company said in a statement to E! News. “We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years.”
Indeed, the energy drink brand’s racing team went on to emphasize how much Horner had boosted their success.
“With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking, he has been instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful and attractive teams in Formula 1,” the statement continued. “Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history.”
E! News has reached out to Horner regarding his firing but has not yet heard back.
Horner’s termination comes in the middle of the Formula 1 season, and over a year after he was cleared of inappropriate behavior following allegations from a colleague.
“Red Bull can confirm that the grievance has been dismissed,” the company said in a statement at the time, adding that they were “confident that the investigation has been fair, rigorous, and impartial.”
Specifics of the complaint made against Horner were not shared publicly, but the 51-year-old emphatically denied any wrongdoing in a statement amid the investigation.
“I obviously deny fully the allegations that have been made against me,” Horner told CNN at the time. “There’s an ongoing process and that obviously is being worked through at the moment. I can’t talk further about that, but obviously working with that process.”
Horner—who tied the knot with Halliwell in 2015—also thanked his wife amid the investigation, telling ITV at the time, “She’s been hugely supportive and will continue to be so.”
Horner joined team Red Bull in 2005, securing 124 victories, 287 podium finishes, eight drivers’ world championships and six constructors’ titles, the company said in a statement. Earlier this year, the former race car driver—who began his professional career in the 1990s—denied that Ferrari was looking to poach him for their team, and expressed loyalty to Red Bull.
“It’s always flattering to be associated with other teams. But my commitment, 100 percent, is with Red Bull,” he said in a statement per The Athletic. “It always has been and certainly will be for the long term.”
