This is the champion team. He was able to end Hamilton’s reign Verstappen in 2021 in one of the most controversial finishes in history, he has three consecutive drivers’ crowns and two in a row constructors and he has everything to continue the reign after sweeping 2023 with 20 wins out of a possible 21. The anyone in that context is on cloud nine, but in F1 any paradise can turn into hell in the blink of an eye. This could be the case of the Red Bull team, where the soap opera Christian Horner This can open up a lot of questions that no one expected. This could be the beginning of a major earthquake.
Christian Horner revealed today
Christian Horner He is the oldest crew chief in the entire grid. He has been in the position since 2005 and now, 19 years later, his position may be up in the air after leading the team to a 2023 in the frame, where red bull signed the most dominant season in the history of an F1 team.
The case broke in the news as reported by the Dutch media ‘De Telegraaf’ Last monday According to the aforementioned media, Christian Horner is being investigated by the parent company, Red Bull Gmbhfor an alleged “inappropriate behavior” Going to “especially a team member.”
“This process, which is already underway, is being carried out by external specialist counsel. The company takes these matters seriously. And the investigation will be completed as soon as possible. It is not appropriate to comment further at this time”, added a source from the team to ‘De Telegraaf’, assuring that the Red Bull company is taking the incident seriously. However, Horner himself responded briefly to the said newspaper: “I absolutely deny these statements.”
After that, many speculations appeared and Christian Horner had to explain himself this Friday in a hearing with an external lawyer, hired by Red Bull to avoid conflicts of interest in this case.
What did Christian Horner do?
Christian Horner will testify this Friday regarding the facts that have not yet been disclosed. Only rumors are known. In fact, after the ‘De Telegraaf’ news, the newspaper ‘Bild’ launched a more serious speculation: “Horner allegedly sent inappropriate photographs to an employee.”
On the other hand, in some English media like ‘The Sun’, he points to other very different issues, refuses to send pictures and makes sure that everything is about the excessive authoritarianism of his role as group leader
“The team has not confirmed the nature of the complaint made against Horner, but BBC Sport understands the allegations relate to an allegation of inappropriate and controlling behaviour,” the ‘BBC’ said.
Will Horner continue or resign?
The totality of accusations and rumors that have appeared about the figure of Christian Horner leaves him in a very bad place in the eyes of public opinion. And in those cases, in F1, it is very difficult to survive in one position. All group communications directors know this. Unless Horner can clearly show that everything told to the press is completely false.
“Many people familiar with the situation do not expect him to live up to his role,” the BBC said. Although in F1 nothing can be denied.
power struggle?
Why did the Roman Empire fall? There are many answers. Some say it’s because their political system is too chaotic. And because the Empire grew so much. This opens up an important reflection.
Beyond what appeared in the press and the rumors that appeared, it is remarkable that after so many accusations and speculations, neither the Red Bull F1 team nor the Matiz company issued a clear and concise statement defending the innocence (or presumption) of Christian Horner or denying certain accusations. A few days passed during which Horner’s image was splashed with many news and serious rumors around the world.
Other major doubts arose after news of Horner’s alleged ‘inappropriate behaviour’ was reported by the Dutch ‘De Telegraaf’. That led to more rumours. According to ‘Motorsport-Total’, the news was given by a media close to Max Verstappen as it may have been leaked by Max’s father, Jos Verstappen.something that could indicate a possible internal conflict in the champion team. “Behind the scenes of Formula 1 it is rumored that the personal relationship between Horner and Jos Verstappen has seriously deteriorated,” expressing the aforementioned medium.
Because? Why can there be conflict in the dominant group? Why do Max Verstappen and Jos Verstappen disagree with the team boss who gave everything for Max to become champion? The speculation continues there and points to different places.
Last year, there was a lot of talk about the possibility of Helmut Marko leaving his important advisory role at Red Bull. Rumors point to possible problems with Christian Horner, who may want all the power within the team. However, Marko has always been a beloved figure for the Verstappen. He was very important to Max’s career because he bet on the young Dutchman and promised him F1, something Mercedes couldn’t do. The rest is history.
However, at the end of this January Red Bull surprised by announcing the renewal of Helmut Marko for two years.
All this, in an important context to understand the particular ‘Game of Thrones’ that can become the F1 team. Following the death of Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz at the end of 2022much can change within the parent company, and it remains to be seen if they want the F1 team to act less independently and what the intentions of Oliver Mintzlaff, responsible for the group’s sports activitieswho are among the possible replacements for Horner should he not continue in charge (Jonathan Wheatley, the team’s sporting director, is also vocal).
There may be a ‘brain drain’
It is said that a great nation can only be destroyed when it destroys itself within. This may be the case with Red Bull. And the ‘Christian Horner case’ opens up other, more painful questions for the team.
The big question is whether all this will end up taking away one of its most valuable assets: engineer Adrian Neweythe brains behind the car that has been sweeping F1 since the regulations were introduced in 2022.
Newey is everyone’s favorite and has been close to Ferrari on several occasions, although he ultimately chose to stay with the energy drink company. With Hamilton already confirmed for 2025, Newey’s possible arrival would mean creating the closest thing to what Ferrari had with Schumacher and Ross Brawn in its golden era from 2000 to 2004.
Now, in the ‘Red Bull soap opera’, rumors about the future of F1’s star engineer have increased. But Red Bull have plenty of other key players who have grown up alongside Horner and may want to pack their bags if their boss doesn’t move on. They will all have beautiful ‘girlfriends’ outside the walls of Red Bull headquarters.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
