Christian Edward Johnston Horner is a British motorsport executive and former racing driver best known for his role as team principal and CEO of Red Bull Racing in Formula One from 2005 through 2025. At just 31 years old, he became the youngest team principal in F1 history when he took charge of Red Bull Racing. Over two decades, Horner transformed the team from a newcomer into one of the sport’s most successful outfits, guiding them to eight drivers’ championships and six constructors’ titles.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Christian Edward Johnston Horner |
| Date of Birth | November 16, 1973 |
| Place of Birth | Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Spouse | Geri Halliwell (married 2015) |
| Children | Three (Olivia Horner, Bluebell Madonna Halliwell, Montague George Hector Horner) |
| Occupations | Former Racing Driver, Motorsport Executive, Team Principal, CEO |
| Net Worth | $50 million (2024-2025) |
Early Life and Education
Born on November 16, 1973, in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England, Christian Horner grew up in a family with strong ties to the automotive industry.
His grandfather worked as a purchasing manager at the Standard Motor Company, and his father, Garry Horner, ran a business supplying components to car manufacturers.
Horner attended Arnold Lodge School and later Warwick School. His interest in racing began early; at age 12, he convinced his parents to buy him a used go-kart, sparking his passion for motorsport.
Career
Christian began his racing career in karting before moving into car racing after winning a Formula Renault scholarship in 1991. He competed in the British Formula Renault Championship in 1992, finishing as the top rookie and winning a race.
He progressed to British Formula Three in 1993, finishing second in the Class B Championship with five victories. Horner also competed in British Formula Two and Formula 3000 during the mid-1990s.
In 1997, he founded the Arden racing team and, after a revealing test session in 1998, decided to retire from driving to focus on managing the team.
After retiring as a driver, Horner developed Arden International into a successful outfit, winning three consecutive International Formula 3000 Team Championships and securing drivers’ titles in 2003 and 2004.
In late 2004, Red Bull purchased the Jaguar F1 team, appointing Horner as team principal in January 2005. At 31, he was the youngest person to hold such a position in Formula One.
Horner quickly improved the team’s performance, scoring 34 points in his first season compared to Jaguar’s nine the previous year. His key move was hiring Adrian Newey as chief technical officer, which helped the team achieve its first podium in 2006 and finish second in the constructors’ championship by 2009.
Red Bull Racing’s breakthrough came in 2010, winning both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships with Sebastian Vettel becoming the youngest world champion. The team maintained dominance through 2013, securing four consecutive double championships.
After a period of Mercedes dominance, Red Bull returned to the top in 2021 when Max Verstappen won the drivers’ title. The team clinched constructors’ championships in 2022 and 2023, with Verstappen securing multiple drivers’ titles and setting new records in 2023.
Departure
On July 9, 2025, Red Bull announced Horner’s departure after 20 years. Under his leadership, the team achieved 124 wins, 107 poles, and 287 podiums. Laurent Mekies succeeded him as team principal.
Personal Life
Christian Horner was first married to Beverley Allen from 1999 until their separation in 2014. They have a daughter, Olivia, born in 2013.
In 2014, Horner began dating Geri Halliwell, former Spice Girl, whom he married in May 2015. The couple has a son, Montague (Monty), born in 2017. They also share a blended family with Halliwell’s daughter from a previous relationship.
The family lives in a luxurious Oxfordshire estate valued at around $11.6 million, with additional properties in London and France. They enjoy an active lifestyle, including outdoor activities and dog walking.
Net Worth
Christian Horner’s net worth is estimated at approximately $50 million as of 2024-2025. His wealth mainly comes from his role as Red Bull Racing’s team principal, where he earned around $10 million annually.
He owns valuable properties and a collection of classic cars, including a 1968 Shelby Cobra and a McLaren P1.
Honors and Awards
- 2013: Awarded Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to motorsport after Red Bull’s championship successes.
- 2024: Promoted to Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in recognition of his ongoing contributions to Formula One.
