Motion Motorsport Report for InsideTrackNews.com – June 11 2025
Dave Mathers In this week’s Motion Motorsport Report, Dave Mathers is revved up about the return of the ISMA Supermodifieds to Delaware Speedway last Friday. He also looks at other news and races around Ontario and the racing world. GRAND SLAM HOME RUN! Delaware Speedway played host last Friday night to the return – after […]
In this week’s Motion Motorsport Report, Dave Mathers is revved up about the return of the ISMA Supermodifieds to Delaware Speedway last Friday. He also looks at other news and races around Ontario and the racing world.
GRAND SLAM HOME RUN! Delaware Speedway played host last Friday night to the return – after eight long years – of the bad, fast, and exciting Super Modifieds, and the results were nothing short of spectacular! The largest crowd in many years filled the stands and the parking lots – and reportedly cleaned out the concession stands.
The Supermodifieds were a hit at Delaware Speedway last Friday. Polesitter Tyler Shullick, in the pits. Photo by Chris Culos.
As always, the pit rumor mill was buzzing, with many suggesting the series will be back next year on the Saturday of the Canada Day weekend. Thanks to the new ownership group, the track was wisely repaved a few years ago, making side-by-side racing possible – something that simply wasn’t feasible on the old surface. Race results are found below.
In yet another head-scratching move from the IndyCar technical staff, A.J. Foyt Enterprises’ car, driven by second-place finisher Santino Ferrucci in Detroit, was fined $25,000 and docked 25 driver points for – get this – having a driver ballast that didn’t meet the 185-pound combined weight requirement by less than a pound, violating the narrow tolerance of 0.00 to +1.00 pounds. Yes, the ‘Danica Patrick Rule’ is intended to prevent unfair advantages for lighter drivers, but here’s the kicker: the car was TEN pounds overweight! Really?
There’s talk that teams are encouraging NASCAR to consider upping the horsepower in the Cup Series. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
Rumours are swirling that NASCAR may increase horsepower for the Cup cars. Teams have been lobbying for more power to better complement the Next Gen chassis, and let’s face it – what driver doesn’t want more horsepower? While we’re unlikely to return to the 900+ HP days, a bit more oomph could certainly spice things up.
From Jayski.com: A three-judge panel from the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has vacated the preliminary injunction that allowed 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports to compete as chartered teams and receive the associated financial benefits. Good news for NASCAR.
Reports are also circulating about NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps attending a NASCAR Brazil race, igniting speculation that a Cup Series race could be headed there. But what about CANADA? Tons of fans here, and no international flights required!
After many years, I finally got to meet superstar race photographer Alan Arseneault last Friday night at Delaware. I’ve admired his incredible racing photos for years but had never met him in person. Great guy.
Ram 1500 NASCAR Truck Series concept front ¾ on track. Photo courtesy of Stellantis.
At a press event at Michigan International Speedway (MIS), Stellantis announced its return to NASCAR. RAM trucks will initially enter the Truck Series, with strong rumors of a future move to Xfinity and Cup. Good news!
The group that brings you the exciting 660 Sportsman Nationals is presenting the inaugural Family Fun Weekend June 20-22 at St. Thomas Dragway.
The jam-packed drag racing event will feature: Rick Ream’s Wheelstanding Studebaker Firetruck, Neale Armstrong’s Northern Warrior Jet Dragster, Nostalgia Funny Cars – Matt Stambaugh Generation X vs Paul & Brian Noakes new ’67 Chevy II dubbed Wheeler Dealer (below), CJR Hellcats, Canada’s fastest Durango & 9-second Trackhawk, a Batmobile, the Ecto1 from Ghostbusters, the Blues Brothers Car, Ontario Nostalgia Drag Racing and bracket racing. First Responders and Service Club members receive special discount pricing!
Click on the flyer at right for more info, and visit the 660 Sportsman Nationals Facebook page for the latest news and everything you need to know about this first-time event.
NASCAR Cup Series – At MIS qualifying, Chase Briscoe (Toyota) snagged his third straight pole, edging out Kyle Busch (Chevy) and Denny Hamlin (Toyota). The field featured 36 cars: 15 Chevys, 12 Fords, and 9 Toyotas. Tyler Reddick had to start at the back after some “unapproved adjustments.”
Stage 1 went smoothly, with Chris Buescher taking the stage win. The first caution came on lap 59 when Noah Gragson and John Hunter Nemechek spun on the backstretch. Soon after, Cole Custer and Alex Bowman collided, with Bowman hitting the wall hard. Briscoe and Daniel Suarez also got caught up, prompting a yellow and then red for debris.
On lap 72, Nemechek backed it into the wall in Turn 4. Another yellow. Ryan Blaney spun entering pit road on lap 109 – yet another yellow. William Byron claimed Stage 2. On lap 145, Todd Gilliland hit the wall in Turn 2 after a left rear tire blew.
At the checkered flag, it was Denny Hamlin with a fuel-mileage victory over Chris Buescher and Ty Gibbs. Three of the top four finishers near the Motor City were Toyotas. In the points, William Byron leads Kyle Larson by 41, and Hamlin by 82.
Next race: Mexico City, Friday, 3 p.m. on TSN 3
Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Yahoo! Toyota, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 08, 2025 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Bonfield Event Park, located east of North Bay, Ontario, plays host to the Spring Bracket Race (June 13-15). Visit www.thebafm.com or call (705) 487-3663 for info.
Xfinity Series – Next race: Mexico City, Saturday, 4:30 p.m. on CW
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series – Saturday at MIS, Luke Fenhaus (Ford) earned the pole over Carson Hocevar (Chevy) and Matt Crafton (Ford). Canadian Stewart Friesen (Toyota) started 17th. The 32-truck field included 16 Chevys, 10 Fords, and 6 Toyotas – still no RAMs. Corey Heim took both Stage 1 and 2 wins. At halfway, Heim led over Kaden Honeycutt and Hocevar.
The first caution came just three laps into the restart when Jack Wood backed it into the wall in Turn 4. Rajah Caruth also found the Turn 2 wall shortly after, with a little help. A tangle between Nathan Byrd and Morgen Baird led to another yellow and eventually a red for wall repairs.
Stewart Friesen, driver of the #52 Halmar International Toyota, takes the checkered flag to win the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series DQS Solutions & Staffing 250 Powered by Precision Vehicle Logistics at Michigan International Speedway on June 07, 2025 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
The final 20 laps were wild, with the lead changing several times. Ross Chastain got fully sideways after contact with Hocevar but saved it. A tire carcass caused another yellow with 9 to go. On the restart, a wreck collected Daniel Hemric, Chastain, and eight others, after Tanner Gray turned Chastain. And once again, Live Timing had a meltdown – showing Hemric 15 laps down and Corey LaJoie 12 laps back with four laps to go.
NASCAR overtime! Lawless Alan Body slammed the wall after contact but kept rolling. Hemric blew a tire with two to go – another yellow. On the third green-white-checkered attempt, Friesen took advantage of others going high and restarted on the inside front row. At the flag, it was “Oh, Canada!” – Friesen took the win over Grant Enfinger and Fenhaus.
Stewart Friesen, driver of the #52 Halmar International Toyota, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series DQS Solutions & Staffing 250 Powered by Precision Vehicle Logistics at Michigan International Speedway on June 07, 2025 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
In points, Heim (finished 18th) leads Chandler Smith by 133 and Hemric by 151. Friesen sits 10th, 258 points back.
CASC-OR – The VARAC Vintage Grand Prix returns to CTMP June 12-15. And the BARC Canadian Touring Trophy Races are slated for July 26-27 at CTMP. Click HERE to visit the CASC-OR homepage.
IMSA – At Mid-Ohio, the BMW of Machavern/Selldorff won GS, beating the Mercedes of Morad/Ward and the Porsche of Heylen/Mars. In TCR, Gottsacker/Filippi’s Hyundai triumphed over teammates Brown/Dupont and the Honda trio of Yoshihara/Montour/Wittmer. 22 GS and 15 TCR entries. Next race: Watkins Glen, Sunday, June 22
This Saturday, Flamboro Speedway hosts the annual Don Biederman Memorial featuring the Outlaw Super Late Models, the Canadian Vintage Modifieds, Mini Stocks, Pure Stocks and a Cruise Night. Biederman was a legendary stock car racer who was a prominent racer at Flamboro. Here’s a link to a gallery of images featuring Biederman. And click HERE or on the banner above for more info about the Biederman Memorial Night.
NHRA – Back in 1967, I asked a tech guy at Bristol why they called it Thunder Valley. “Wait for the first pair of Top Fuelers,” he said. When they ran, the sound echoed back 30 seconds later. We both laughed.
Top Fuel – Tony Stewart led qualifying with a 3.755 at 325.77. Canadian Dan Mercier was 10th. Stewart also won the #2Fast2Tasty Challenge over Doug Kalitta. Steve Torrence took the event win over Justin Ashley. Two upsets, 10 smokers.
Funny Car – Austin Prock led qualifying with a 3.931 at 329.10. Canadian Spencer Hyde qualified 11th. J.R. Todd won the Challenge over Jack Beckman. Ron Capps won the final. Five upsets, 10 smokers.
Pro Mod – Mason Wright topped 21 entries with a 5.803. Canadians Jordan Lazic and Justin Bond qualified 6th and 10th. JR Gray beat Mike Stavrinos in the final by 0.011 seconds. Two upsets, three smokers.
Super Grip NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals Winners: Richard Gadson, Steve Torrence, Greg Anderson and Ron Capps. Photo by NHRA Media
Pro Stock – Dallas Glenn topped qualifying. Aaron Stanfield won the Challenge. Greg Anderson beat Glenn in the final. Two upsets, seven smokers.
Pro Stock Bike – Brayden Davis led qualifying. Gaige Herrera won the Challenge, but Richard Gadson beat Herrera in the final. Three upsets.
Mountain Motor Pro Stock – John DeFlorian Jr. led qualifying and won the final. Three upsets.
Factory Stock Showdown – Lee Hartman topped qualifying. Mark Pawuk won the final over James Betz. Four upsets, one smoker.
The Wasaga Beach Cruisers are holding their Cruise Fest Weekend on Saturday, June 21 in Klondike Park in Wasaga Beach, ON. Their weekly Monday night cruise events started May 12 at the Stonebridge Gazebo across from the Walmart parking lot. The cruise nights start between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. and run until dusk. Click HERE for more information about Cruise Fest.
APC Series – At Flamboro Speedway, Jake Sheridan earned the pole over Kyle Steckly and Cole Quinton. At the flag, Steckly won over Shae Gemmell and Sheridan. Eight cars finished on the lead lap. In the points, Josh Stade leads Gemmell and Shawn Chenoweth by five. Next race: Peterborough, Saturday.
Kyle Steckly won the APC Late Model race at Flamboro Speedway on Saturday night. Photo by Steve Traczyk.
Ontario Sportsman Series – Next race: Sunset, Saturday
Brockville Ontario Speedway: This Saturday at The BOS the Surprenant Truck Shop Crate Sprints, Modified, Sportsman, Novice Sportsman, Street Stocks and Pro Stocks take to the track. Click HERE for more info. Looking ahead, the Empire Super Sprints make their way to The BOS on June 21. And on July 12, the Ogilvie’s Triple Crown Series takes to the track. And you won’t want to miss the Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modifieds on July 30!
Delaware Speedway – As Rodney Dangerfield would say: “What a crowd!” 18 Super Modifieds thrilled fans on the repaved half-mile. Vermillion, Ohio’s Tyler Shullick smashed Ryan Litt’s longstanding track record with a 15.383. Mike Ordway was second, Kyle Edwards third, and London’s Mark Sammut seventh. Heat winners were Josh Sokolic, Mike McVetta, and Sammut. In the
50-lap feature, Trent Stephens passed pole-sitter Ordway on lap 10 and led the rest of the way. A single caution flew when Johnny Benson spun on lap 33. At the finish, it was Stephens over Ordway and Edwards. Sammut advanced from 10th to finish fifth. Canadian Mike Lichty finished seventh.
In Super Stocks, Cody Wilds and Trevor Collver won the heats, with Collver winning the feature over Carson Nagy and Nic Ramsay. In V8 Stocks (14 cars), Lucas Orr and Jeremy Taggart won the heats. Barry Watson took the feature over Taggart and Kaden Patrick. The crowd enjoyed a laugh when the spectator lights were finally turned on at 9:30 p.m.!
Next race: Autograph Night – V8 Stock, Bone Stock 40 Special, Friday
Edmonton International Raceway – This Saturday (June 14) is First Responders & Health Car Workers Appreciation Night at EIR. The evening will feature a Meet the Drivers Autograph Session, Late Models, Pure Stocks, Future Stocks, IMCA and Stackers. Click HERE for more info related to Saturday and additional news about all the things happening at Western Canada’s only NASCAR-sanctioned speedway.
NASCAR to bring 2026 Cook Out Clash back to ‘The Madhouse’ at Bowman Gray Stadium
NASCAR will open its 2026 season where it first laid its roots—Bowman Gray Stadium. Following a sold-out return to the legendary short track in 2025, the Cook Out Clash will once again launch the NASCAR Cup Series schedule at ‘The Madhouse’ on January 31 and February 1, NASCAR announced today. FOX Sports will broadcast the […]
NASCAR will open its 2026 season where it first laid its roots—Bowman Gray Stadium. Following a sold-out return to the legendary short track in 2025, the Cook Out Clash will once again launch the NASCAR Cup Series schedule at ‘The Madhouse’ on January 31 and February 1, NASCAR announced today.
FOX Sports will broadcast the event, which marks the second consecutive year the quarter-mile track in Winston-Salem, North Carolina plays host to NASCAR’s preseason exhibition. The 2025 race saw Chase Elliott capture a hard-fought victory in the first Cup Series appearance at Bowman Gray since 1971.
“We wrote a new chapter in the storied history of motorsports at Bowman Gray Stadium with the Cook Out Clash this year,” said Joey Dennewitz, NASCAR Regional Managing Director. “As NASCAR’s first weekly racetrack, we are proud to bring the 2026 Cook Out Clash back to the original home of grassroots racing.”
The event is a homecoming for Cook Out, the fast-growing restaurant chain founded in the Winston-Salem area. The company will once again serve as the entitlement partner, continuing a strong NASCAR presence that includes title sponsorship of races at Martinsville, Richmond, and Darlington. Cook Out is also deeply invested at the grassroots level, including its support of the NASCAR Youth Series.
“We are proud to support the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in our backyard in Winston-Salem,” said Jeremy and Morris Reaves, CEO and Founder of Cook Out. “Last year was so amazing and we can’t wait to do it again!”
Built in 1937, Bowman Gray Stadium is NASCAR’s longest-running weekly racetrack and was the first paved track and weekly venue sanctioned by the organization. Its return to the Cup Series spotlight in 2025 marked a symbolic and strategic reconnection with the sport’s grassroots foundation.
Over its storied history, Bowman Gray has seen NASCAR legends like Richard Petty, Junior Johnson, Ned Jarrett, and David Pearson compete on its flat bullring. Petty’s 100th career win came at the track in the 1969 Myers Brothers 250.
“Last year’s race was an immensely successful event for all parties involved,” said Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines. “We will work hard to ensure that the 2026 Cook Out Clash is even more successful.”
This year’s race is expected to be another sell-out, reaffirming the track’s nickname as ‘The Madhouse’ and its reputation as one of NASCAR’s most electric venues.
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Cook Out Clash Returning to Bowman Gray Stadium in 2026
“We are proud to support the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in our backyard in Winston-Salem,” said Jeremy and Morris Reaves, CEO and Founder of Cook Out. “We look forward to bringing our NASCAR racing family together in our community once again with the Cook Out Clash. Last year was so amazing and […]
“We are proud to support the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in our backyard in Winston-Salem,” said Jeremy and Morris Reaves, CEO and Founder of Cook Out. “We look forward to bringing our NASCAR racing family together in our community once again with the Cook Out Clash. Last year was so amazing and we can’t wait to do it again.”
Cook Out maintains a strong presence in NASCAR, from the grassroots level to the premier series. Along with the Cook Out Clash, Cook Out is the entitlement sponsor for the Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway and Richmond Raceway, as well as the crown jewel Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.
Cook Out also sponsors the NASCAR Youth Series, among other sponsorships throughout the grassroots level of racing.
“Cook Out is an amazing partner that continues to have a positive impact across NASCAR,” said Justin Swilling, Project Lead for the Cook Out Clash. “Their support continues to take our events to the next level, and we look forward to working together to make this year’s Cook Out Clash another memorable sold-out event.”
Chicago Mayor Weighs in on Future of NASCAR in the City
Will NASCAR weave through the streets of Chicago in the future? The mayor weighs in. As the two-day spectacle wrapped up this past weekend, the future of the race remains unclear. This summer marked the final of a three-year agreement to race in Chicago. NASCAR has less than 90 days to request a contract extension […]
Christian Horner fired after 20 years as Red Bull team principal
After two decades at the helm, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has been sacked. This news comes after weeks of speculation about Max Verstappen’s future at Milton Keynes – which has had repercussions for Horner’s leadership. Horner replaced after failure to address key issues at Red Bull It was roughly eighteen months ago that […]
After two decades at the helm, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has been sacked. This news comes after weeks of speculation about Max Verstappen’s future at Milton Keynes – which has had repercussions for Horner’s leadership.
Horner replaced after failure to address key issues at Red Bull
It was roughly eighteen months ago that Christian Horner found himself surrounded in controversy.
The 51-year-old was faced with allegations that, beyond generating plenty of discussion in F1 news cycles, created rifts within the team.
At the height of this controversy, Jos Verstappen (father of Max) passionately argued that Horner should resign from his position.
Christian Horner at Silverstone Circuit on July 04, 2025 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) // Getty Images
Jos Verstappen argued that the British team principal was negatively impacting the team and having a detrimental impact.
“There is tension here while he remains in this position,” he claimed.
“The team is in danger of being torn apart. It can’t go on the way it is. It will explore – he is playing the victim, when he is the one causing the problems.”
When Max Verstappen was asked about his father’s comments, he refused to distance himself from them.
As 2024 progressed, these early-season tensions at Red Bull de-escalated, at least on the surface.
However, this does not mean the team recovered from the words exchanged at the beginning of the year.
Over the last few weeks, LWOS has been among several outfits to report on talks between Verstappen and Mercedes.
One report on this saga, however, is particularly relevant to Christian Horner’s reported dismissal.
It was German outlet AMuS who wrote that Max Verstappen’s camp wanted Horner to have less influence on Red Bull’s decision-making.
This demand is understood to have been part of discussions for Verstappen to continue with Red Bull team – amidst their declining performance.
Whilst Horner’s departure is unlikely to guarantee that Verstappen will stay, it certainly represents a clear and intentional shift.
This move is unlikely to have happened without the Dutchman being informed beforehand.
Not only does Horner’s exit mark the end of an era at Red Bull, but it demonstrates a recognition of the team’s shortcomings.
Christian Horner, at Silverstone Circuit on July 04, 2025. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
Rectifying the situation at Red Bull
Of course, Christian Horner being fired does not necessarily mean that Red Bull’s performance in 2025 will improve.
There aren’t many upgrades scheduled for the RB21, with Red Bull shifting their focus to next year’s regulations.
Horner’s departure is, however, relevant for how the team will handle its other problems. These include the growing risk of losing Verstappen, in addition to the recent ‘brain drain’ from Milton Keynes.
Over the last eighteen months, Red Bull’s driver situation has been extremely unstable.
Verstappen has seen three different teammates in less than a year – representative of the instability at the team.
Laurent Mekies, who will replace Horner, is tasked with bringing some calm to the uneasy waters at Red Bull.
Considering Mekies’ high appraisal for Yuki Tsunoda, no driver changes should be expected for the remainder of 2025.
In this sense, there should be some sense of continuity within the team.
On the Verstappen front, the Frenchman’s good relations with the Dutchman will be essential
Mekies, who joins from VCARB, is tasked with showing Verstappen that Milton Keynes are progressing ahead of 2026.
Considering the strained nature of Horner’s relationship with the Verstappen camp, Mekies has a chance to start fresh.
Beyond this, Red Bull’s new team principal must prevent the continued loss of top personnel from Milton Keynes.
Adrian Newey, Rob Marshall and Jonathan Wheatley are some of many senior figures to leave in the last year.
Marshall, who is often overlooked in discussions about the F1 engineering market, has been integral to McLaren’s success.
A new era begins
Moving forward, Red Bull will work to reverse this trend – which has seen them losing top talents to rivals.
Since Newey’s exit, Christian Horner has given more influence to Pierre Wache – who is currently the team’s technical director.
In fact, even before Newey left, Horner was responsible for making Wache a bigger voice in Red Bull’s development.
This likely contributed to Newey’s move to Aston Martin, who felt increasingly marginalised at Milton Keynes.
Although the 66-year-old’s exact motivations for leaving Red Bull have not been disclosed the polemics of early 2024 almost certainly played a role.
Regardless, after a second season of virtually zero progression, Wache’s position might be re-assessed under new team principal Laurent Mekies.
Red Bull’s Technical Director has enjoyed very limited success since spear-heading development.
The aftermath of Red Bull’s blockbuster decision remains to be seen – but whatever happens, it marks a new era.
Main photo: Mark Thompson/Getty Images (via Red Bull content pool)
Retired NASCAR star Kevin Harvick, son Keelan racing in Owosso | Sports
Kevin and Keelan Harvick are taking part in the Master of the Pros 200 at Owosso Speedway on July 16.
OWOSSO, Mich. (WJRT) – Retired NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick and his son Keelan are set to race at the Owosso Speedway next week. Harvick, the 2014 Cup Series champion, will […]
Kevin and Keelan Harvick are taking part in the Master of the Pros 200 at Owosso Speedway on July 16.
OWOSSO, Mich. (WJRT) – Retired NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick and his son Keelan are set to race at the Owosso Speedway next week.
Harvick, the 2014 Cup Series champion, will participate in the Master of the Pros 200 stock car race on July 16. Track owner Rex Wheeler said “the most prestigious pro late model race in America” draws drivers from across the country.
Gates open at 2 p.m., a driver autograph session is scheduled at 6 p.m. and racing action starting at 7 p.m. with a field of 26 drivers. Tickets for the event are $15 for adults and pit passes cost $35.
Kevin Harvick, 49, raced in the NASCAR Cup Series for most of 22 seasons starting in 2001, when he replaced the legendary Dale Earnhardt following his death in the season opening Daytona 500.
Harvick went on to race 12 seasons for Richard Childress Racing before switching to Stewart-Haas Racing for the 2014 season, when he won his only series championship. He retired from Cup Series races after the 2023 season.
Harvick then moved to the broadcast booth as part of the Fox Sports team. He has continued racing part time in lower series and began competing against his son, Keelan, earlier this year.
Keelan and Kevin Harvick have raced against each other several times this summer. Keelan, 13, earned his first late model stock car win last month in a CARS Tour West race in California.
Owosso Speedway is a 0.375-mile paved oval track west of Owosso on M-21. The track has expanded significantly in recent years and now boasts a seating capacity of more than 11,000 spectators.
The track announced plans last winter for an ambitious $180 million expansion to increase seating capacity to more than 20,000 while adding a number of other amenities.
Christian Horner sacked by Red Bull Racing F1 team | Motorsports News
Red Bull boss exits the team after a stellar two decades that yielded eight Formula One Drivers’ World Championships. Red Bull have sacked team principal Christian Horner and appointed Laurent Mekies as the Briton’s replacement, the Formula One team announced. The 51-year-old Horner was the longest-serving team principal, having been in the position since Red […]
Red Bull boss exits the team after a stellar two decades that yielded eight Formula One Drivers’ World Championships.
Red Bull have sacked team principal Christian Horner and appointed Laurent Mekies as the Briton’s replacement, the Formula One team announced.
The 51-year-old Horner was the longest-serving team principal, having been in the position since Red Bull made its Formula One debut in 2005.
Frenchman Mekies joins from Red Bull’s sister team Racing Bulls. Alan Permane, currently racing director, will be promoted to team principal at Racing Bulls.
“Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today (Wednesday 9 July 2025) and has appointed Laurent Mekies as CEO of Red Bull Racing,” the Milton Keynes-based team said in a statement on Wednesday.
Red Bull won eight Drivers’ World Championships and six Constructors’ Championships under Horner, but struggled this season, with the team sitting fourth with 172 points in the constructors’ standings. They trail leaders McLaren by 288 points.
Red Bull’s four-time Formula One champion Max Verstappen has won two of 12 races and is third in the drivers’ championship. He is 69 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri at the midway stage of the 24-round season.
Horner’s position was questioned, with Verstappen’s father calling last year for him to go, after allegations of misconduct were made by a female employee. The Briton denied them and was cleared after an investigation.
“It has been an amazing adventure to contribute to the birth of Racing Bulls together with all our talented people. The spirit of the whole team is incredible, and I strongly believe that this is just the beginning,” Mekies said.
“Alan is the perfect man to take over now and continue our path. He knows the team inside out and has always been an important pillar of our early successes.”
Horner, centre, celebrates Red Bulls’ first F1 Driver’s World Championship with Red Bull Racing team owner Dietrich Mateschitz, left, and F1 team driver Sebastian Vettel, right, on November 14, 2010, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates [Clive Mason/Getty Images]
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Edmonton International Raceway – This Saturday (June 14) is First Responders & Health Car Workers Appreciation Night at EIR. The evening will feature a Meet the Drivers Autograph Session, Late Models, Pure Stocks, Future Stocks, IMCA and Stackers. Click HERE for more info related to Saturday and additional news about all the things happening at Western Canada’s only NASCAR-sanctioned speedway.
