Red Bull’s decision to sack Chris Horner after 20 years relationship may have come as a shock to many industry watchers, but analysts see it more of a board chess pay, for 40 years, Red Bull’s ownership was elegantly simple and protective of singular decisions, it was as simple as this:
49% Austrian side (Mateschitz family)
49% Thai side (Yoovidhya family)
2% Chalerm Yoovidhya (personal stake)
But recently a change in that 2% stake in that may have led to Christian Horner’s departure, that tiny 2% gave the Thai side 51% majority control, and became Horner’s shield when controversy erupted.
Very strong industry reports suggests that the Austrian shareholders wanted him gone, while the Thai side (led by Chalerm) were in his favor to stay.
On May 20, 2025, a major board room play saw a new entry and everything shifted, Chalerm Yoovidhya transferred his 2% stake to Fides Trustees SA, a Geneva-based trust company.
And then 50 days later, Christian Horner was removed from his role as CEO and team principal of the Red Bull Formula 1 team.
