Despite Horner vehemently denying the accusation, a verdict on the investigation is expected to be revealed this week, potentially leading to the departure of the longest-serving team boss in the grid.
Martin Brundle has raised concerns about potential “issues” at Red Bull if Christian Horner is dismissed amidst the ongoing investigation.
The position of the Red Bull team principal is in jeopardy following a complaint of alleged improper behavior made by an employee to parent company Red Bull GmbH.
Although Horner strongly denies the accusation, a decision on the investigation is expected to be disclosed this week, possibly resulting in the exit of the grid’s longest-serving team boss.
So far, business operations have continued as usual, with Horner appearing at both the RB20 car launch in Milton Keynes and pre-season testing.
However, there is a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the reigning World Champions.
Brundle, who is also present in Bahrain for the opening race of the new season, believes that the team’s uncertainty predates the Horner investigation and was triggered by the passing of co-owner Dietrich Mateschitz.
“I think the issue Red Bull faces is that Dietrich Mateschitz had the final say in any major decision,” Brundle told Sky Sports.
“And they followed him. He said jump, they asked how high.
So, from that point on in 2022, we have already seen some disruption, let’s call it, within the team.”
If Horner were to leave, it would mark another significant loss of continuity, as the 50-year-old has been with the team since its establishment in 2005.
Brundle noted that while the immediate future seems secure, there may be challenges ahead.
“Obviously, if you remove Christian from that equation, then other factors will fill the void, won’t they?” Brundle stated.
“And although it may not have the same impact as Mateschitz’s passing, they have momentum and they have Max Verstappen.
So I wouldn’t be too concerned about their immediate performance.
But in the long run, it will undoubtedly present some challenges.”
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Horner has consistently denied the allegations, but Craig Slater, Brundle’s colleague at Sky, suggested that a decision could be made as early as Wednesday (February 28).
According to Sky Sports, the extensive investigation is currently being reviewed by the board of Red Bull GmbH at the company’s headquarters in Salzburg, Austria.
The report is said to exceed 100 pages and includes testimonies from those involved.
Any communication from Red Bull’s parent company is unlikely to reveal significant details about the allegations to protect the confidentiality of those involved.