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Christian Horner officially leaves Red Bull as multi-million pound pay-out agreed after July sacking of team principal | F1 News

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10 months ago

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Christian Horner has officially left Red Bull after agreeing a multi-million pound exit package that will allow him to make a swift return to Formula 1.

Horner was sacked in July from his dual roles as Red Bull Racing team principal and chief executive after 20 years in charge of one of the sport’s most successful outfits.

However, until now, he had remained officially employed by Red Bull as negotiations were held over the terms of his exit, with the Brit still having been owed more than £100m from a contract that had been due to run until the end of 2030.

Red Bull announced on Monday they had reached an agreement for Horner to depart, with Sky Sports F1 understanding that the 51-year-old took a reduced pay-out in the region of £75m to ensure he will be allowed to return to the sport as soon as the summer of 2026.

Red Bull chief executive of corporate projects and investments, Oliver Mintzlaff, said: “We would like to thank Christian for his exceptional work over the last 20 years.

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Sky Sports’ Craig Slater takes a look back at Christian Horner’s 20-year run as Red Bull CEO and team principal

“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.

“Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history.”

Horner oversaw two periods of dominance by Red Bull in Formula 1, with Sebastian Vettel and the team winning four consecutive drivers’ and constructors’ championships from 2010-2013 and Max Verstappen winning the last four drivers’ championships from 2021-2024. Red Bull were also constructors’ champions in 2022 and 2023.

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Following his sacking, Horner gave an emotional goodbye to the Red Bull staff and says it was the biggest privilege of his life

Horner said: “Leading Red Bull Racing has been an honour and privilege. When we started in 2005, none of us could have imagined the journey ahead – the championships, the races, the people, the memories. I’m incredibly proud of what we achieved as a team breaking records and reaching heights no-one would ever believe were possible and I will forever carry that with me.

“However for me my biggest satisfaction has been assembling and leading the most amazing group of talented and driven individuals and seeing them flourish as a subsidiary of an energy drinks company and seeing them take on and beat some of the biggest automotive brands in the world.”

Horner faced a turbulent last 18 months in the job both on and off the track.

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Relive the highs and lows of Horner’s time as Red Bull team principal

Allegations of inappropriate behaviour made against him in February 2024 by a female colleague were dismissed following an appeal last summer. Horner denied the accusations throughout.

McLaren overtook Red Bull as the dominant team in F1 while several high-profile figures left the Milton Keynes squad during the final 18 months of Horner’s tenure, including legendary designer Adrian Newey moving to Aston Martin and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley to Sauber.

Horner was replaced by Laurent Mekies, who has overseen an upturn in results for Red Bull since the sport’s summer break, with Verstappen finishing second at the Dutch Grand Prix before claiming back-to-back victories in Italy and Azerbaijan.

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Craig Slater analysed why Horner left Red Bull

Horner added: “I wish Laurent, Max, Yuki (Tsunoda) and all of the Red Bull Technology Group the very best for the future. I am confident they will, as ever, deliver success on the track, for our fans, and continue to push to the maximum and I look forward to seeing the first Red Bull / Ford engine in the back of RB22 next year as well as the exciting RB17.

“Racing aside, I would also like to thank the shareholders, the late Dietrich Mateschitz for the opportunity he gave me as a 31 year old, Mark Mateschitz and Saravoot Yoovidyha and finally Chalerm and Daranee Yoovidhya for their friendship and commitment during my time at Red Bull as well as Oliver Mintzlaff and the board for their guidance.”

Since his sacking, Horner has been linked with the likes of Alpine and Cadillac, but the latter – a new entry to F1 in 2026 – emphatically shut down the speculation in August.

The 2025 Formula 1 title fight continues under the lights at the Singapore Grand Prix on October 3-5, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime

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Doctor Posts Eye-Opening Tweet About UFC 329 Injury

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12 minutes ago

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July 30, 2026

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Sports medicine doctor Brian Sutterer has given his thoughts on Conor McGregor‘s recovery from an ACL tear suffered at UFC 329 against Max Holloway earlier this month.

The Irishman returned to the Octagon for the first time in five years in Las Vegas, Nevada, though, the long-awaited fight with Holloway couldn’t have ended more abruptly and more disappointingly.

McGregor opened the fight up with a jumping switch kick. It’s fairly normal for him to begin proceedings with a flashy kick, only this time he buckled to the floor, with his knees unable to withstand the pressure.

In the aftermath of the fight, there was plenty of speculation regarding what happened, with Sutterer now posing more questions since seeing what McGregor has been doing following the injury.

Doctor Has Suspicions About Conor McGregor’s Injury

Conor McGregor at UFC 329 Credit: Mark J. Rebilas via Imagn Images

In the immediate aftermath of the fight at UFC 329, Sutterer gave his thoughts on the possible injury, saying: “So, actually seeing all this, my first thought would be a meniscus tear, specifically that lateral meniscus because of him grabbing on the outside of his knee.”

There was also speculation about whether or not McGregor was injured prior. He seemed fairly cautious at both the ceremonial weigh-ins and on the cage walk. However, the Irishman has since said that he wasn’t hindered in the lead-up.

Reflecting on the situation, Sutterer has now touched on the recovery and McGregor’s possible journey back to the Octagon, and he’s made an eye-opening claim about what the fighter has been doing in the aftermath.

“Starting to wonder what’s going on with Conor McGregor’s ACL tear. He’s posting a lot of pretty intense, knee-loading workout videos and seems to have great range of motion and function. If the plan is a return for IFW 2027, and he truly has a complete ACL tear, he needs to get that surgery done, and I’m surprised he hasn’t had it yet based on what’s been reported.”

Conor McGregor’s Future in UFC

With the anticlimactic ending of UFC 329, there’s no surprise that McGregor is eager to redeem himself. As Sutterer touched on, he’s been active on social media, posting some clips from his recovery.

In one of his posts, he talked about what may have led to the injury, and the intention of being back for next year.

“The white, orange and green machine, mosying on back to the office, up the office! Sorry I’m late, but the dry ice has the cage floor wet. It’s a no-contest now chop chop for the champ champ. I’ll see ya’s next year 100%.”

A trilogy fight with Holloway could be on the table. The Hawaiian fighter didn’t shut down the possible contest, saying: “He was talking about this 170 domain, he was talking about this different world. I wanna feel it. I’m down to come back in 2027.”

Both fighters seem to be looking for a return in 2027, so perhaps that could be the way forward.

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De Zerbi Confirms Next Tottenham Signing is Close, It’s Not Savinho

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38 minutes ago

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July 30, 2026

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Roberto De Zerbi has revealed that another signing at Tottenham Hotspur is imminent, with the club set to continue their busy start to the transfer window.

The Lilywhites have already added a number of players to their ranks, spending around £237 million in the process. Sandro Tonali has arrived from Newcastle United for £100 million, Mateus Fernandes has joined from West Ham for £85 million, while Jan Paul van Hecke was acquired from Brighton for £52 million.

On top of this, Martin Dubravka, Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson have all signed on free transfers.

The attention now turns to strengthening the attack, and De Zerbi has told Spurs journalist Alasdair Gold that a new arrival is imminent.

New Tottenham Signing Imminent

Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Tottenham have been heavily linked with Manchester City’s Savinho, although De Zerbi has hinted that another big signing could be N17-bound before the Brazilian.

“In the transfer market, when I want one player, I become like a shark, No chance to say no!” he told Football.London.

“The transfer market, it’s not finished for sure, but we completed 60% of our project in the transfer market. Now we have another bomba!”

More to follow…

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Sickening Details Emerge About Ex-UFC Fighter’s Arrest

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1 hour ago

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July 30, 2026

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Further details have been released regarding Anthony Smith’s arrest, as the former UFC fighter faces a trio of felonies, including ‘reportedly threatening to kill’ his wife.

Smith retired from mixed martial arts in 2025 after being defeated by Zhang Mingyang. Since then, however, he has also moved into the bare-knuckle space, with a fight against Chase Sherman in Jorge Masvidal‘s Gamebred MMA promotion.

Despite trying to stay active, Smith is now embroiled in this case and facing serious charges. He was arrested in Sarpy County, Nebraska, on Monday, and the full details of the situation and arrest have now emerged.

Statement Further Explains Anthony Smith’s Arrest

Anthony Smith

The 38-year-old faces a trio of felonies, which include attempted first-degree domestic assault, terroristic threats, and first-degree false imprisonment. Despite being arrested on Monday, he was released on a $500,000 bond.

With the bond agreement, Smith was also ordered to stay away from his wife and have no contact with her while the trial is still pending.

During the bond hearing, more information was revealed by a prosecutor from the Sarpy County Attorney’s Office.

The statement said: “It is alleged that on July 26, 2026, the defendant was involved in an altercation with his wife at a bar in Gretna, Neb, during which he reportedly threatened to kill her if she did not get into his vehicle and go home with him.”

They then added that the confrontation became physical.

“He is further accused of grabbing and pushing her inside the vehicle. At one point, during the drive, she was able to exit the vehicle. The defendant allegedly continued making threats, demanding that she get back inside the vehicle.

“After arriving home, she again exited the vehicle. Investigators allege that the defendant attempted multiple times to use the vehicle to strike her. The defendant’s wife was able to get out of the way and avoid any physical harm.”

Smith eventually turned himself into authorities after an arrest warrant was issued. He is next scheduled to appear in district court on the 17th of August.

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