Footage of Christian Horner's farewell speech emerges as former Red Bull principal left in tears after sacking

An affectional Christian Horner gave a tearful farewell code to unit astatine Red Bull's UK basal successful Milton Keynes, conscionable hours aft the erstwhile squad main was sacked from his relation astatine the Formula One team.

Horner, who helped Red Bull triumph six Constructors' Championship titles betwixt 2010 and 2023, was informed of the astonishment determination connected Tuesday evening pursuing 20 years of service.

The 51-year-old was fixed the accidental to code his erstwhile employers astatine their UK basal successful Milton Keynes – and helium broke down successful tears aft admitting that the sacking came arsenic a "shock", contempt Red Bull's mediocre commencement to the campaign.

Sky Sports obtained footage of Horner's farewell speech, with the clip showing Horner receiving a lengthy lasting ovation from those present.

He said: "Yesterday, I was informed by Red Bull that operationally I would nary longer beryllium progressive with the concern oregon the squad moving forward. I volition inactive stay employed by the company, but, operationally the baton volition beryllium handed over.

"It came arsenic a daze to myself. I've had a accidental to bespeak implicit the past 12 hours and wanted to basal successful beforehand of each of you to interruption this quality and to explicit my gratitude to each and each azygous subordinate of the squad that has fixed truthful overmuch during the past 20-and-a-half years.

"When I arrived 20 years ago, determination were a fewer little grey hairs. I walked into a squad and did not cognize what to expect but I was instantly welcomed and we started to physique what became a powerhouse successful F1."

Horner addresses his erstwhile employers arsenic helium delivers affectional speech. Image credit: Sky Sports

Horner added: "Watching and being portion of this team, has been the biggest privilege of my life."

A connection from Red Bull revealed connected Wednesday that the 51-year-old volition beryllium replaced by Laurent Mekies, who was the squad main astatine sister squad Visa Cash App Racing Bulls.

Red Bull managing manager Oliver Mintzlaff said: "We would similar to convey Christian Horner for his exceptional enactment implicit the past 20 years. With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking, helium has been instrumental successful establishing Red Bull Racing arsenic 1 of the astir palmy and charismatic teams successful Formula 1."

Mintzlaff added: "Thank you for everything, Christian, and you volition everlastingly stay an important portion of our squad history."