Leading Red Bull has been biggest privilege of my life: Horner after being sacked as team principal

Christian Horner gave an emotional farewell to staff after being sacked as Red Bull boss on Wednesday and said leading the team had been the biggest privilege of his life.

Sky Sports television ran a video clip of the gathering at the Milton Keynes factory with the 51-year-old addressing the team for the last time as principal.

ALSO READ: Jorge Martin set to return to MotoGP action at Czech Grand Prix

“Yesterday I was informed by Red Bull that operationally I would no longer be involved with the business or the team moving forward from after this gathering,” he said.

“I will still remain employed by the company, but operationally, the baton will be handed over. And that obviously came as a shock.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner of Britain celebrates after Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany became the 2010 Formula One World champion and won the Emirates Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina racetrack, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 14, 2010.
| Photo Credit:
AP

“What I have had time to do is to reflect over the last 12 hours or so, and I wanted to stand in front of all of you and just express my gratitude to each and every single member of the team that has given so much during the last 20 and a half years.”

Horner recalled how, after Red Bull took over the Jaguar team in 2005, he had walked into two run-down buildings and began working towards building what became a powerhouse in Formula One.

“Watching and being part of this team has been the biggest privilege in my life,” he said, to applause from the assembled employees.