The Red Bull group’s overall reputation has been severely affected by the ongoing Christian Horner saga. Recent reports indicate that the internal power struggles within the team have worsened. Additionally, it has been publicly stated that the team is falling apart due to Horner, and there are concerns that they may switch to Mercedes power in the future. Now, another individual has entered the picture and expressed worries about Max Verstappen’s future with the team.
A state of internal conflict has emerged within the team. Verstappen’s father has expressed his desire for Horner to be removed from the team in an interview. Subsequently, Toto Wolff, the team principal of another team, has not ruled out the possibility of Verstappen joining his team, adding fuel to the rumors. This has sparked speculation in the paddock that the reigning champion might leave Red Bull after the current season. As a result, the Red Bull consultant is reportedly concerned about the strength of Verstappen’s relationship with the team.
According to AMuS, there are indications that Max Verstappen could become a potential candidate for Mercedes in 2025. The turbulence caused by Christian Horner has raised concerns for Helmut Marko, who fears that not only Verstappen, but also key figures like Adrian Newey and future engine partner Ford might be driven away. Horner himself…
Marko is worried that the internal turbulence within the team could lead to the departure of Verstappen and other important officials. This includes the renowned British designer and the upcoming engine partners for the 2026 regulations. Such significant changes could hinder Red Bull and cause them to lose their direction. Therefore, Marko would prefer for things to settle down as quickly as possible.
After the Bahrain GP Free Practice sessions on Thursday, an anonymous source leaked documents related to Horner’s investigation to F1 personnel and media outlets. This caused a commotion in the paddock and caught the Red Bull consultant off guard.
During a media address, Marko expressed his surprise at the alleged leaked documents from his colleague’s investigation. The 80-year-old stated that he had never personally seen the documents before and it was his first encounter with them.
As a result, the situation within the energy drinks manufacturer appears to be quite delicate. While the team is currently performing well on the track, their off-track state is in complete disarray. The upcoming weeks and months could have a significant impact on Red Bull’s future as an F1 team.