The scandal surrounding Christian Horner has plunged Red Bull into a crisis after Max Verstappen’s father, Jos, publicly revealed the extraordinary tension within the Formula 1 team. While Red Bull dominated the season opener, a week filled with controversy in Bahrain has created a stark contrast between their on-track success and the nightmare they face off-track. Jos Verstappen’s warning that Red Bull Racing will implode under Horner’s leadership has increased the pressure on the team principal, making it clear that Red Bull is in an unsustainable situation. This saga will undoubtedly overshadow the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix that follows next Saturday.
In interviews with The Daily Mail and De Telegraaf, Jos Verstappen expressed his concerns about the team and the growing divide caused by the current situation. He stated that the team is in danger of being torn apart and that it cannot continue as it is. These remarks highlight the tension within the team and the potential consequences of Horner’s leadership.
Earlier this week, Red Bull’s parent company decided to retain Horner as team principal and CEO of Red Bull Racing following an investigation into allegations against him. However, the lack of transparency surrounding the investigation raised doubts and further fueled the controversy. A leaked dossier of 79 files, which was sent to numerous F1 personnel, including rival team bosses and Jos Verstappen, added to the tension. This leak ensured that the situation did not end with the conclusion of the investigation and further intensified the atmosphere in Bahrain.
Despite the ongoing controversy, Horner remained defiant and received visible support from his wife, Geri Halliwell-Horner, on race day. However, the events of the past few days have compromised his leadership and potentially irreparably damaged his position within the team. Furthermore, Red Bull’s partners, such as Ford, have also expressed their concerns and demanded transparency, which may not be fulfilled due to the company’s decision to protect the privacy of those involved by not disclosing the investigation’s report.
Horner, in his media session after the race, refused to comment on the leak and blocked questions about the authenticity of the messages. He expressed his confidence in leading the team for the entire season and emphasized his focus on the upcoming races. However, Jos Verstappen’s comments cast doubt on Horner’s future as team principal. As a significant figure within the organization and the father of the team’s star driver, Jos’s criticism undermines Horner’s leadership and indirectly calls for his departure.
Red Bull Racing cannot ignore the implications of Jos Verstappen’s remarks. Emergency talks will likely take place before the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to address the escalating tension. Max Verstappen will also be confronted with the situation, as his father’s comments have shifted the focus away from performance and highlighted the divisions within the team. The controversy has further fueled the perception that Red Bull’s F1 operation is divided into two factions, with Horner’s Milton Keynes base on one side and the Austrian contingent led by Oliver Mintzlaff (aligned with the Verstappen camp) on the other.
Regardless of Red Bull’s response or Horner’s actions, it seems increasingly unlikely that he will be able to weather the scrutiny and speculation without further threats to his leadership. The leak in Bahrain was clearly intended to destabilize and discredit Horner, and Jos Verstappen’s remarks indicate that the fallout from the controversy is far from over. This remains a volatile and ongoing situation that is reaching a critical point. Horner and Red Bull may have hoped that the investigation would bring an end to the controversy, but it has only intensified and threatens to cause even greater damage.