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.

After 20 years at the helm of Red Bull Racing, Christian Horner is out as team principal and CEO, effective Wednesday. The bombshell move comes at a tumultuous time for the Formula One team as it struggles to create a competitive car, sitting fourth in the constructors’ standings largely thanks to Max Verstappen’s performances this season.

Red Bull abruptly fired longtime team principal Christian Horner on Wednesday, ending a 20-year stint that included eight Formula 1 drivers’ titles and recent turmoil that rocked the team on