The scandalous saga has overshadowed Formula 1 ever since it erupted on the day Red Bull unveiled their dominant RB20 car for Verstappen and his teammate Sergio Perez. Throughout this time, Horner has faced a significant power struggle for control of the racing team.
Despite allegations of attempting to silence his female colleague with hush money, Horner has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Although an internal investigation by Red Bull supposedly cleared the team boss of any guilt, the accuser is not satisfied with the outcome and has launched an appeal. She is reportedly displeased that she was not provided with the complete dossier of explicit messages before the internal inquiry reached its conclusion.
Given this tumultuous backdrop, there is still uncertainty regarding Horner’s presence in Melbourne. Furthermore, rumors suggest that Mercedes is on the verge of signing Verstappen away from Red Bull, which could potentially lead to their prized asset Adrian Newey also departing.
During an interview with the BetIdeas media team, Herbert expressed his thoughts on the Horner scandal and its impact on the sport’s reputation as well as Red Bull as a team. He stated, “The ongoing situation and the intense scrutiny surrounding it are detrimental to Formula 1. It does not bode well for Red Bull, who currently have the best driver in the world. However, Christian’s stubbornness to persist exacerbates the problem, ultimately jeopardizing Red Bull’s future.”
Herbert emphasized that Horner, who played a crucial role in building Red Bull, is now perilously close to contributing to its destruction. This is a great disappointment considering the team’s immense popularity worldwide, with Max Verstappen at the forefront. Herbert believes that the focus should solely be on the drivers on the track, rather than the Christian Horner spectacle.
The “Horner Show,” featuring Christian Horner and Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, was impossible to miss throughout the weekend in the Jeddah paddock. This deliberate display of unity, resembling a parody of a harmonious marriage, showcased a resolute Horner accompanied by a seemingly bewildered and bewildering Spice Girl. The whole affair appeared contrived and artificial.
It’s quite a bold statement for a British F1 analyst to say “Horner-out” in such a manner. In recent times, Herbert, a former F1 winner, has been excluded by major British media outlets like BBC, Channel 4, and Sky, possibly because he speaks his mind rather than conforming to their agenda.
However, in the eyes of independent media sources, Johnny’s opinions still hold weight, much like the viewpoints of Jacques Villeneuve, Tiff Needell, Mark Blundell, and other individuals we reference on this platform. They are all united by their lack of affiliations and their willingness to express their true sentiments.
Herbert may be the first esteemed British F1 media commentator to openly suggest that Horner’s time at Red Bull is limited, as indicated above. Yet, he is not alone in this belief, as fellow Grand Prix winner Ralf Schumacher, in German media circles, has echoed Johnny’s sentiments.
Schumacher has gone so far as to imply that Horner is using the victim card to protect his reputation and career, even if it comes at the expense of the Red Bull F1 team.
Meanwhile, the third round of the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship, the Australian Grand Prix, will be held this weekend at Albert Park in Melbourne. Statistics demonstrate that Red Bull has completely dominated the first two rounds, with Verstappen and Perez aiming for a third consecutive one-two finish this weekend Down Under.