It's an earthquake that Formula 1 didn't see coming.
In a team far above the peloton, with a triple title holder Max Verstappen in his ranks, nothing could disturb Red Bull as the 2024 season approaches. Nothing on a sporting level at least, before everything explodes at because of Christian Horner.
We take stock to understand everything about the matter.
What are the key moments of the case?
Red Bull's extra-sporting problems began at the very beginning of February with the revelations of the very serious De Telegraaf.
The Dutch daily reveals that the director of the Austrian house;
Christian Horner (50);
is under an independent internal investigation due to “misconduct” and “inappropriate behavior” towards one of the employees of his team.
Few details are revealed at this time.
There is talk of “transgressive sexual behavior”, “serious” accusations, and an offer from Christian Horner of more than 700,000 euros to cover up the affair.
Officially, the British boss of Red Bull denies it outright.
His fate must be decided before the first GP of the season in Bahrain.
As announced, just before the free tests in Sakhir, this is the moment chosen by the Austrian firm to clear its number 1 following this internal investigation.
Christian Horner is present this weekend for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah.
The employee who accused him was suspended.
XPB/Icon Sport
But nothing stops.
Christian Horner is in the storm, the world of F1 is demanding more clarity on the results of the investigations.
Even more so after the sending, during the Grand Prix weekend in Bahrain, of an anonymous email to all the teams and journalists containing in particular WhatsApp messages allegedly written by Horner.
These screenshots of messages, photos and videos could never be authenticated.
Less than a week later, this Thursday March 7 according to The Times, the employee who had accused Christian Horner was suspended by the Austrian firm.
The reason for his suspension, along with his full salary, is linked to the findings of the internal investigation.
A small victory for Horner in a war that has become gigantic.
What is Max Verstappen's father doing in this story?
On an ejection seat, Horner remained in place throughout the Bahrain GP, supported by the presence of his wife, ex-Spice Girls Geri Halliwell, before seeing his accuser suspended.
Safe ?
Not yet.
Behind him is in fact a real, long-standing internal war for control and direction to be given to Red Bull since the death of its illustrious leader Dietrich Mateschitz.
We find several major players in the firm in this power struggle: the Thai majority shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya and Horner on one side, Helmut Marko – the historic sports consultant – and the Verstappen family on the other.
F1: “the team will explode”, Verstappen's father wants to see Christian Horner leave Red Bull
➡️ https://t.co/Om6F3YwQxP pic.twitter.com/JJewtNpaZg
— The Parisian |
sport (@leparisiensport) March 3, 2024
A question of life and death for one of the two clans.
All without forgetting the pressure from the main commercial partners, like Ford or Oracle, who do not want to spill ink on their name.
It was in this context that Max Verstappen's father attacked first, just a few hours after his son's triumph on Saturday during the first Grand Prix of the season, in Bahrain, to throw a wrench in the pond.
“There is tension
(in the team)
as long as he
(Christian Horner)
stays in place.
The team risks tearing itself apart.
She can't continue like this.
It’s going to explode,” Jos Verstappen, himself a former driver, told the British daily Daily Mail.
To make matters worse, several media including Marca are linking Jos Verstappen to the former secretary of Christian Horner, who also allegedly received inappropriate messages.
If there is no compromise found between Horner's supporters and the Verstappen-Marko clan, the outcome seems inevitable.
One of the two parties will have to pack their bags.
Can Max Verstappen really leave Red Bull?
This would ultimately be the most terrible consequence for Red Bull.
With the open conflict between his father and Horner, could the three-time world champion leave the best team on the grid?
“I am happy in the team.
As long as we are performing well, I will have no reason to leave,” replied the Dutchman, who clarified that honoring his contract, which expires at the end of 2028, “was always his intention”.
🎙️ “My transfer proves that anything can happen!”
Max Verstappen at Mercedes?
Lewis Hamilton reacts to the rumor 👀#SaudiArabianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/0JXNvcdXVw
— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) March 7, 2024
But his position in this internal struggle is almost beyond doubt when we read between the lines.
“It doesn't matter if you're on one side or the other.
As my father's son, it would be weird not to be on his side... But I focus on performance.
What I want is to have a peaceful working environment, no matter who is on the team,” he explained.
Rumors are already sending him to Mercedes, which will have a seat available in 2025 after the unexpected departure of Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari.
Jos Verstappen also had fun appearing ostentatiously with Toto Wolff, the boss of the German firm, last weekend.
Especially since his contract would allow it quite easily.
According to the Daily Mail, Max Verstappen has a release clause in his contract.
He could therefore leave if Helmut Marko, the company's motorsport advisor, and close to his father Jos, left the team.
In short, absolute chaos.