Christian Edward Johnston Horner is a British motorsport executive and former racing driver. Since 2005, he has served as the team principal of the Red Bull Formula One team, leading them to win thirteen world titles. Horner's career in motorsport began as a racing car driver, but he transitioned to a managerial role in 1999 when he became the head of the International Formula 3000 team, Arden International Motorsport.
1963: Colin Chapman's Constructors' Championship Win
In 1963, Colin Chapman became the youngest team principal to win a Formula 1 Constructors' Championship, clinching the title at the age of 34.
November 1973: Birth of Christian Horner
Christian Edward Johnston Horner was born on 16 November 1973 to a family with a background in the car industry in Coventry, England.
1991: Formula Renault Scholarship
In 1991, Christian Horner won a Formula Renault scholarship, marking the beginning of his car racing career.
1992: British Formula Renault Championship
In 1992, Horner competed in the British Formula Renault Championship with Manor Motorsport, finishing the season as a race winner and the highest placed rookie.
1993: British Formula Three
In 1993, Horner moved up to British Formula Three, finishing second in the Class B Championship for P1 Motorsport and winning five races.
1994: Switch to Fortec and ADR teams
In 1994, Christian Horner moved to the Fortec and ADR teams for British Formula Three, continuing his racing career.
1995: Further racing in British Formula Three
In 1995, Horner continued his racing career with Fortec and ADR teams in British Formula Three.
1996: British Formula Two and TOM'S team
In 1996, Horner raced in British Formula Two and joined the TOM'S team, marking a significant step in his racing career.
1997: Move to Formula 3000 and founding Arden
In 1997, Christian Horner moved up to Formula 3000, founding the Arden team, which would become a significant part of his career.
1998: Decision to Step Back from Driving
In 1998, after a pre-season test at Estoril, Horner decided to step back from driving to focus on developing the Arden team, recognizing his limitations compared to other drivers.
1999: Signings for 1999 FIA F3000 season
In 1999, after retiring from competitive driving, Horner signed Viktor Maslov and Marc Goossens for the FIA F3000 season and oversaw significant changes in Arden International Motorsport.
1999: Start of Relationship with Beverley Allen
Christian Horner began his relationship with Beverley Allen in 1999. The couple remained together until 2013 and had a daughter born in October 2013.
1999: Horner becomes head of Arden International Motorsport
In 1999, Christian Horner transitioned from being a racing car driver to becoming the head of International Formula 3000 team Arden International Motorsport.
2000: Competing in Italian F3000
In 2000, Arden competed in the Italian F3000, winning three races and finishing second in the Championship with driver Warren Hughes.
2001: Continued success in F3000
In 2001, Arden continued to compete in F3000, with Darren Manning scoring one pole and two podium finishes.
2002: Team Championship Win
In 2002, Arden won the Team Championship in F3000, with drivers Tomáš Enge and Björn Wirdheim taking five victories, despite Enge's title demotion due to a failed drug test.
2003: F3000 Title for Wirdheim
In 2003, Björn Wirdheim won the F3000 title with Arden, securing the Team Championship as well.
November 2004: Red Bull Purchases Jaguar F1 Team
In November 2004, Red Bull purchased the Jaguar F1 Team, setting the stage for Christian Horner's future role in Formula One.
2004: Dominance in Final F3000 Season
In 2004, Arden dominated the final season of F3000, with Vitantonio Liuzzi and Robert Doornbos securing both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championship titles.
January 2005: Appointment as Head of Red Bull Racing
In January 2005, Christian Horner was appointed to head the Red Bull Racing team, becoming the youngest team principal at that time. Under his leadership, the team quickly improved its performance.
November 2005: Recruitment of Adrian Newey
In November 2005, Christian Horner played a key role in recruiting Adrian Newey as the team's chief technical officer, significantly enhancing Red Bull Racing's technical capabilities.
2005: Team Principal of Red Bull Racing
In 2005, Christian Horner was appointed as the team principal of the Red Bull Formula One team, a role in which he has led the team to win thirteen world titles.
February 2006: Adrian Newey Joins Red Bull
In February 2006, Adrian Newey started working at Red Bull Racing, although the RB2 car had already been designed. The team faced challenges with new Ferrari engines but managed their first podium finish at the Monaco Grand Prix.
2007: Launch of RB3 and Arrival of Mark Webber
In 2007, Red Bull Racing launched the RB3, their first car designed by Adrian Newey, and welcomed Mark Webber as a driver. The team continued to face reliability issues but managed a single podium finish.
2009: Second in Constructors' Championship
In 2009, Red Bull Racing finished a strong second in the Constructors' Championship, with drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber finishing second and fourth respectively in the drivers' standings.
2010: First Constructors' and Drivers' Championship
In 2010, Red Bull Racing won their first Constructors' Championship, and Sebastian Vettel secured the Drivers' Championship, making him the youngest World Champion. Christian Horner became the second youngest team principal to win a Constructors' Championship.
2011: Second Constructors' Championship
In 2011, Red Bull Racing won their second Constructors' Championship with three races to spare, and Sebastian Vettel became the world's youngest double World Champion.
2012: Third Constructors' Championship
In 2012, Red Bull Racing won their third Constructors' Championship with one race to spare, and Sebastian Vettel became the world's youngest triple World Champion.
October 2013: Birth of Christian Horner's Daughter
In October 2013, Christian Horner and Beverley Allen welcomed their daughter. Horner's relationship with Allen lasted from 1999 until 2013.
2013: Fourth Consecutive Championship
In 2013, Red Bull Racing won their fourth consecutive F1 Constructors' Championship, with Sebastian Vettel securing his fourth Drivers' Championship.
2013: Awarded OBE
In 2013, Christian Horner was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Birthday Honours for his services to motorsport.
November 2014: Engagement to Geri Halliwell
On 11 November 2014, Christian Horner and Spice Girls member Geri Halliwell announced their engagement. The couple later married in May 2015.
May 2015: Marriage to Geri Halliwell
Christian Horner married Spice Girls member Geri Halliwell on 15 May 2015 in Woburn, Bedfordshire. This marked a significant personal milestone for both.
January 2017: Birth of Son with Geri Halliwell
In January 2017, Christian Horner and Geri Halliwell welcomed their son. Horner also became a stepfather to Halliwell's daughter, Bluebell Madonna, from her previous relationship.
2021: Second in Constructors' Championship
In 2021, Red Bull Racing finished second in the F1 Constructors' Championship, with Max Verstappen winning his maiden Drivers' Championship at the final race of the season.
2022: F1 Constructors' Championship Win
In 2022, Red Bull Racing won the F1 Constructors' Championship with drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez. Verstappen also won the Drivers' Championship, with Pérez finishing third.
2023: Sixth Constructors' Championship
In 2023, Red Bull Racing secured their sixth F1 Constructors' Championship, with Max Verstappen winning his third Drivers' Championship and Sergio Pérez finishing second, marking the team's first 1-2 finish in the Drivers' Championship.
February 2024: Investigation into Allegations Against Christian Horner
On 5 February 2024, Red Bull confirmed that Christian Horner was facing an investigation following allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a female colleague. The investigation was conducted by an external lawyer, and by 28 February 2024, Horner was cleared of all wrongdoing, maintaining his roles at Red Bull Racing. The specific nature of the allegations was not disclosed.