Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff has opened up on the decision to part ways with Christian Horner earlier this year.
Horner was at the helm of the Milton Keynes-based squad since its inception in 2005 and oversaw various world championship triumphs with Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel.
However, shortly after the British Grand Prix earlier this year during a rough patch of form for the team, Horner was relieved of his duties.
The Briton was replaced by Laurent Mekies before Red Bull went on a strong turnaround in form that saw Verstappen miss out on a fifth consecutive title by just two points.
Mintzlaff asserted it was essential Red Bull carried out a change amid a lapse in on-track results.
“I wouldn’t call it a risk, because we were 100% behind this decision,” Mintzlaff told De Telegraaf.
“Because we knew we had to do something.
“I’m not a so-called ‘hire-and-fire manager’, someone who just fires people.”
While Horner had a strong history of success with Red Bull, Mintzlaff highlighted it could not count on the past for future triumph.
“Christian has a fantastic track record with the team and achieved a great deal of success,” he said.
“Everyone here at the company, myself included, appreciates him for what he’s done.
“But this is also part of a professional organisation. You can’t keep relying on history, and we felt it was time to turn the page and start a new chapter.
“That wasn’t an easy decision, but we didn’t make it overnight either.”