Laurent Mekies, the boss of sister team Racing Bulls, will replace Horner, who has been with the team since its inception in 2005 and led it to 124 wins and numerous championships.

“[Horner] looks at Toto Wolff and sees a man [who] has risen in the same period to own a third of a Formula 1 team. Christian I’m sure will have half an envious eye on that and think ‘that’s exactly where I should be because I am of that stature ...