Purple Bull GmbH managing director Oliver Mintzlaff has mentioned Christian Horner’s exit from the Milton Keynes outfit, claiming that whereas the Briton has a “nice monitor report”, they might not “maintain counting on historical past”.
Horner was changed in his function as CEO and crew principal on 9 July 2025 by crew chief Laurent Mekies after 20 years with the crew.
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Purple Bull celebrated six constructors’ championships and eight drivers’ championship titles beneath Horner’s management. However the 52-year-old has additionally confronted controversy over allegations of misconduct and inappropriate behaviour from a feminine colleague, which he strongly denied, and investigations cleared him of any wrongdoing.
“I wouldn’t name it a threat, as a result of we have been 100% behind this measure. We knew we needed to do one thing. I’m not a so-called hire-and-fire supervisor, somebody who fires individuals identical to that,” Mintzlaff advised .
“Christian has an incredible monitor report with the crew and has achieved a whole lot of success. Everybody right here within the firm, myself included, appreciates him for what he has achieved. However that is additionally a part of being an expert organisation.
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“You’ll be able to’t maintain counting on historical past and we felt it was time to show the web page and begin a brand new chapter. It wasn’t a simple determination, however we didn’t rush into it both.”
Mintzlaff additionally responded to Dr Helmut Marko’s latest feedback about Horner. The Austrian claimed that the previous crew chief did “the whole lot he might to take management of the corporate” after the demise of Dietrich Mateschitz and that would have been champion in 2025 if Horner had left earlier.
Christian Horner, Purple Bull Racing
Christian Horner, Purple Bull Racing
“These phrases about Christian are Helmut’s duty,” Mintzlaff mentioned. “I can’t say something damaging about Christian. Just because he has meant lots to Purple Bull. However there at all times comes a time when issues aren’t going properly after which, as an organization, it’s a must to decide.
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“Are you going to present somebody extra time, or is it time for a brand new chief? We felt it was time for a change. I disagree with Helmut’s statements. Sure, it’s logical that issues change in an organisation. Maybe Dr Marko has additionally modified over time.
“I believe it’s fairly regular that not the whole lot is similar because it was 5 years in the past. Christian and Helmut have labored collectively splendidly for years, because the begin in 2005, so we’re speaking about greater than 20 years.
“Give me a number of examples of different giant sports activities organisations the place the management crew has remained the identical for thus lengthy. So you may view it very negatively that they’re each gone now. However I might say that it’s distinctive that they’ve been right here collectively for thus lengthy and achieved a lot. Generally you simply want a change to shake issues up.”
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