How Much Christian Horner Wants From Red Bull After Sacking

Christian Horner may no longer be visible in the paddock, but away from the cameras, his situation with Red Bull is still far from resolved.

The long-serving team principal, who oversaw multiple title wins during his time at the helm of Red Bull Racing, remains officially employed by the team. Despite stepping away from active duties, he is currently on a leave of absence. That status keeps him on the payroll as the wheels turn on what is set to become one of the most complex contract separations Formula One has ever seen.

Horner’s departure carries all the signs of a sacking, even if he officially remains on Red Bull’s books in a non-active capacity. In high-level motorsport roles, it is not unusual for this kind of leave to end with a financial settlement. But what makes this case exceptional is the scale of the financial negotiations.

Financial Settlement For Christian Horner at Red Bull

He wants a huge severance package after 20 years in the job

Horner’s current deal is believed to run until the end of 2030. His annual salary has been widely reported as £12 million. That alone indicates the magnitude of the contract being dissected. With lawyers on both sides negotiating already, the financial stakes are ridiculously high.

At the centre of the dispute is the question of how much Horner is entitled to receive as part of his severance. Red Bull has no intention of paying the full value of the deal, but Horner’s camp is understood to be holding out for a complete payout. That would amount to a figure in the region of £50 million.

The likelihood of Red Bull agreeing to such a sum is, without doubt, off the table. Sources close to the company suggest a number closer to half that amount may eventually be settled on. If so, Horner could walk away with something in the region of £25 million. This figure, while staggering to most, may be seen as a compromise given Red Bull’s poor start to the season. They sit fourth in the Constructors’ Championship, almost 300 points behind runaway leaders McLaren.

Christian Horner’s stats at Red Bull
Honours	#
Drivers’ Championships	8
Constructors’ Championships	6
Races	405
Podiums	287
Poles	107
Wins	124

From Red Bull’s perspective, there is also a reputational concern to manage. The company is due to appear at an employment tribunal in early 2026 following a claim made by the former staff member who initially accused Horner of inappropriate behaviour. Should Red Bull be ordered to pay out compensation in that case, it may use the ruling as leverage to reduce the value of Horner’s severance. Lawyers are already said to be building a case to suggest that his conduct did not meet the expectations placed on someone in such a senior role.

Red Bull will almost certainly include clauses to prevent Horner from continuing to receive salary payments should he take up another role in the sport. This would be standard in cases where an individual is leaving under controversial circumstances.

What Next For Christian Horner

Horner is looking for a new job for the first time in 20 years

What happens next will be shaped by the details of private negotiations and legal strategy, but one thing appears certain: Christian Horner’s long and often decorated time at Red Bull is effectively over. However, where he could resurface is a more intriguing question.

According to Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft, Horner may already be considering a route back into Formula One. Not as an employee, but as an owner. Speaking recently, Croft said he sees Horner taking inspiration from Mercedes boss, Toto Wolff, who owns a third of the team alongside INEOS and Mercedes-Benz.

“He looks at Toto Wolff and sees a man that has risen in the same period that Christian has to own a third of a Formula 1 team, and Christian, I’m sure, will have half an envious eye on that and think, ‘That’s exactly where I should be because I am of that stature.’ So if that opportunity arises, we’ll definitely see Christian Horner back again.”

Such a move would need huge investment and solid financial support, since every Formula One team is now worth over £1 billion.

As it stands, the spotlight falls firmly on the legal teams and the eye‑watering sums under negotiation. As whispers of ownership linger, the immediate focus is on the financial showdown between Horner and Red Bull, with tens of millions of pounds at stake.