8. Christian Horner

Now embarking on his third decade at the helm of Oracle Red Bull Racing, Team Principal and CEO Christian Horner CBE has been a defining figure in modern Formula One. Since his appointment in January 2005, becoming the youngest Team Principal on the grid at the time, Horner has led the Team to six FIA Formula One Constructors’ Championships and eight Drivers’ titles.

Christian’s first breakthrough victory as a Team Principal came at the 2009 Chinese Grand Prix. That win was followed by five more that season and laid the foundation for a dominant era. From 2010 to 2013, Horner led the Team to four consecutive Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships—an achievement that earned him an Order of the British Empire, awarded by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2013.

The introduction of hybrid power units in 2014 reshaped the competitive landscape, making victories more elusive. Undeterred, Christian Horner initiated a rebuilding phase, focusing on talent acquisition and strategic partnerships. A key turning point came in 2019 with the arrival of a new Power Unit partner, Honda. That year saw three victories, followed by two more in 2020. In 2021, the Team returned to title-winning form as Max Verstappen secured his first Drivers’ Championship, marking Red Bull’s first title in eight years.

READ MORE: Nasdaq and Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Unite to Turbocharge Technological Innovation

The 2022 season brought sweeping regulation changes—the biggest in 40 years. Under Christian’s leadership, the Team adapted quickly, reclaiming the Constructors’ Championship and securing another Drivers’ title for Verstappen. The 2023 season proved even more dominant, with 21 wins from 22 races, culminating in a sixth Constructors’ title and Verstappen’s third Drivers’ crown.

Recognising his leadership and the Team’s achievements, Horner was elevated to Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2023 King’s New Year Honours List. The 2024 season posed new challenges. While Max Verstappen clinched a fourth straight Drivers’ title, the Team narrowly missed out on the Constructors’ trophy in a fiercely competitive season.

Beyond racing, Horner has overseen significant growth at the Milton Keynes headquarters. The creation of Red Bull Advanced Technologies in 2016 extended the Team’s engineering expertise beyond Formula One. In 2021, Red Bull Powertrains was launched to design and develop in-house power units, culminating in a 2023 partnership with automotive giant Ford to create Red Bull Ford Powertrains.

Outside his Team responsibilities, Christian also serves as an Ambassador for the Wings for Life charity, supporting spinal cord research.