By AFP Red Bull
Christian Horner was sacked on Wednesday by Red Bull after 20 years as team principal of the Formula One outfit.
The 51-year-old has been in charge since the team was formed in 2005 and has led them to eight drivers鈥 titles and six constructors鈥 crowns.
Dutchman Max Verstappen has won the past four drivers鈥 titles for Red Bull, matching the achievement of Sebastian Vettel, who dominated for the team from 2010 to 2013.
Horner鈥檚 dismissal as CEO and team principal comes 17 months after he was accused by a female colleague of 鈥渋nappropriate behaviour鈥.
The Englishman was twice cleared over the claims by the Formula One team鈥檚 parent company, Red Bull GmbH, and his wife, former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, stood by him.
But there have been rumblings of discontent within the team, with several high-profile departures, while form on the track has nose-dived.
鈥淩ed Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today (Wednesday) and has appointed Laurent Mekies as CEO of Red