A potential conflict within the Red Bull organization appears to have been avoided, at least for now, following a month of scrutiny directed towards Horner regarding a scandal involving inappropriate text messages with a colleague. This led to an investigation into his alleged misconduct, resulting in a constant stream of headlines. In addition to his role as RBR F1 boss, Horner is married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, adding fuel to the fire for the British media who enjoy highlighting the actions of celebrities but are equally quick to criticize them when they make mistakes. Despite the controversy, the Horners publicly displayed affection in the Jeddah F1 paddock, seemingly unaffected by the storm brewing above them.
The British media, however, continues to kick Horner while he’s down, emphasizing his potential downfall. Nevertheless, he remains in his position as team boss, despite a group of individuals, possibly influenced by Jos Verstappen, who openly expressed that Horner is the root of the problem at Red Bull and should be removed. Emergency meetings among high-ranking Red Bull officials during and after the Saudi Grand Prix weekend helped calm the situation. However, the appeal made by the aggrieved female involved is expected to bring the entire saga back into the spotlight.
In the midst of the scandal surrounding Red Bull and its embattled figurehead Horner, Wolff couldn’t resist taking a jab at the situation. In an interview with OE24, he remarked, “From an outsider’s perspective, we are witnessing a great deal of drama. However, a situation like this is not beneficial for a team like Red Bull.”
In response to the developments surrounding the Horner affair, the head of Mercedes expressed his lack of surprise. He emphasized that we live in a transparent world where not speaking about something only fuels curiosity, leading to more questions, stories, and speculation. Wolff also pointed out the importance of focusing on the underlying issue – why a woman who felt uncomfortable went to HR – which has been largely overlooked. Additionally, he noted that the information strategy employed by the involved parties appears confusing from an outsider’s perspective.
The recent turmoil at Red Bull has revealed a hidden division within the team that caught many off guard. Verstappen senior has played a central role in the accusations against Horner, sparking wild speculation about the future of his son, Max. It’s not just the triple F1 World Champion’s position with the team that is at risk; the actions of Adrian Newey, the renowned designer, and the overall future of the team are also uncertain. Reports suggest that Horner may be ousted as RBR TP before the start of the Australian Grand Prix.
When questioned about the future of Red Bull, Wolff responded enigmatically, hinting at exciting scenarios if Horner remains in his role. However, he clarified that his knowledge of internal happenings at Red Bull is limited to what he reads in the media.
Meanwhile, as Wolff dismisses his competitors, it’s worth noting that Red Bull currently leads the 2021 F1 World Championship with 87 points, more than triple the points accumulated by Mercedes (26 points). This serves as a reminder that karma can be unforgiving.