Red Bull seemed to be having a relatively quiet winter break. However, amidst car launch season and following Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari move, another shock has hit F1 – this time with very serious implications. This development concerns allegations away from sporting actions.
“An independent investigation has been launched into the recent allegations. It will be conducted by an independent external investigative lawyer and will be completed as soon as possible,” reads the statement released by Red Bull. An internal investigation suggests its sensitivity.
Given that any incorrect behaviour by Christian Horner will have to be proven beyond any doubt, it cannot go unnoticed that Red Bull takes this matter “very seriously”. However, Horner himself denies any wrongdoing. Further speculation is coming out on the matter, although nothing is proven. At the moment, it does not seem appropriate to report on these claims.
What is certain is that Horner and Marko’s sporting success hid their growing internal tensions after the death of Dieter Mateschitz. In the background, Oliver Mintzlaff took power as CEO. An important inflexion point has been the derailing of an agreement with Porsche for 2026.
Since last year, the team management has been in an internal struggle for team supremacy. This situation has brought out an increasingly clear difference in views, so much so that Max Verstappen publicly intervened in defence of Helmut Marko: “My thoughts are simple, if he goes, I’ll go too,” the Dutchman stated.
This could only shift the balance in favour of the super Austrian consultant, who then obtained an important three-year renewal just a few weeks ago.
What broke out could be an unpleasant affair that Marko himself did not want to comment on. As of yet, details of the investigation are unknown.
However, this is obviously not doing Christian Horner’s public image any favours. This will only worsen if this continues without a resolution – with the RB20 launch in just over a week. In Milton Keynes, resolving this issue has, therefore, become a priority.
In the event of proven guilt, it will be necessary to proceed with a shock replacement of the Team Principal who has led the team from day one.
The outbreak of this case was sudden. In the event of a separation between Red Bull and Christian Horner, one option would be an internal replacement. This could come in the form of Jonathan Wheatley.
He knows the team’s environment and has the character and personality to deal with a delicate and complex situation. A possible shock farewell to Christian Horner (after eighteen years) could lead to a destabilisation of the team.
Whatever happens, this saga leaves a bad taste in the mouths of observers. Questions will be asked about moral leadership, in addition to the unity of the leaders.
From this point forward, Red Bull must reveal any conclusions from the investigation with complete transparency.
Author: Giuliano Duchessa
