• Christian Horner has been sacked after a 20-year tenure as Red Bull Racing team principal.
• Red Bull appointed Laurent Mekies as the new team principal and CEO.
• Horner's dismissal comes following a decline in team performance and allegations of misconduct.
• The team has faced multiple high-profile departures since Dietrich Mateschitz's death in 2022.
• Max Verstappen and other team figures had raised concerns about team dynamics under Horner's leadership.

Christian Horner has been removed from his position as Red Bull Racing team principal after two decades, which included leading the team to eight Formula 1 Drivers' Championships and six Constructors' titles. Red Bull confirmed the decision stating that Laurent Mekies will take over as CEO and team principal effective immediately, which has been a significant change for the team since Horner had been in charge since its debut season in 2005, according to Reuters and BBC.

Horner's dismissal is seen as part of a tumultuous period for Red Bull Racing, particularly following the allegations of “inappropriate behavior” made against him by a female colleague. Although he was cleared of the accusations by an internal investigation, the specter of unrest continued to linger. Additionally, the team faces challenges such as a drop in performance, languishing fourth in the constructors' standings amid McLaren's dominance this season, according to Al Jazeera and India Times.

The team's performance issues were brought to a head during the current season with struggles from star driver Max Verstappen, who recently expressed his frustration over a "difficult to drive" car. Verstappen's future with Red Bull has also been uncertain, with speculation around a possible move to rival teams following Horner's departure. Criticism from Verstappen's father and the exit of significant figures, such as car designer Adrian Newey, have suggested internal chaos, according to Dawn and HuffPost.

Horner's leadership notably coincided with an era of unprecedented success for Red Bull, yet the recent turmoil and high-profile departures have altered the landscape significantly. The team currently prepares for critical changes in F1 regulations, including developing in-house engines in coordination with Ford, which puts additional pressure on the new leadership as they strive to maintain the legacy built over the last two decades under Horner's guidance, according to Al Jazeera, HuffPost, and Al Jazeera.