Last Updated on February 6 2024, 3:59 pm
Red Bull Racing CEO and team boss Christian Horner is facing the biggest fight of his life to save his Formula One job following accusations of inappropriate behaviour in the workplace. The Austrian registered energy drinks based company has revealed it is investigating the allegations.
“After being made aware of certain recent allegations, the company launched an independent investigation. This process, which is already underway, is being carried out by an external specialist barrister,” the Red Bull statement read.
A variety of allegations made
The comment went on to suggest the matter was being seriously dealt with but the investigation would be expedited as quickly as possible.
Reports vary as to the exact nature of Christian Horner’s alleged misdemeanour but they centre around inappropriate misbehaviour towards a team employee. Theoriginsal story broke with f1-insider.com who suggested the Red Bull boss behaviour was “over the line.” This was quickly supported by Dutch publication De Telegraph.
German newspaper Bild added fuel to the fire suggesting that Horner had sent “inappropriate” pictures to a staff member yet the Daily Mail insisted his transgression was down to “incredibly controlling behaviour” towards a female colleague.
This sentiment was echoed by others who broadly described Horner’s management style as aggressive though ing truth little context has been leaked. That said a number of articles stated that Christian Horner has been encouraged to ‘step down’ while the investigation takes place though the Red Bull boss has refused and declared his absolute innocence.
Exposed: Wolff misrepresented Hamilton’s contract
Hearing set for quick outcome
Today German outlet AMuS claims that the hearing will not take place on Friday adding that the company are looking to complete the investigation as quickly as possible ahead of next weeks new RB20 car launch.
Thos who defend Christian Horner have suggested he is the victim of a power struggle back at Red Bull HQ and the mood music appears to be in his favour. The fact the company has suggested the matter will be resolved by Friday would imply the evidence may be cut and dry.
To oust Horner and allow him time to appeal would not be a quick process ye the Red Bull civil war appears to once again have surfaced.
Last year the team suffered a number of management issues which came into the public domain such the on October 19 the Daily Mirror reported: “Some reports over the last week would have you believe Red Bull Racing is on the verge of implosion.”
Hamilton contract details leaked online
Marko doesn’t want the job
The waring parties were alleged to be Christian Horner who was painted as power hungry and trying to grab more control of the Racing teams for himself. On the other side of the divide was allegedly Dr. Helmut Marko who was a great friend of the Red Bull founder Didi Mateschitch and whilst not an official Red Bull Racing employee works for the mother company as an advisor.
As the story went, Horner was trying to push out Marko following a number of embarrassing comments including one which saw the FIA sanction his behaviour.
Marko on the other hand insisted he had a contract for 2025 and it was not up to Christian Horner whether he stayed of left. “I have a contract until the end of next year. When and how I stop, when it’s over for me, I will decide. Not Mr Horner, for example,” Marko told assembled media in Austin Texas.
Helmut later revealed he did not believe Christian Horner was trying to oust him and in fact his contract was renewed in January to now run until the end of 2026. The suggestion it is Marko behind this attempt to end Horner’s Red Bull career is highly unlikely.
Wolff timing of Hamilton announcement caused maximum problems
Internal factions in Red Bull holding company
However since Didi Mateschitz death, Red Bull ob longer has the dominant figurehead who rules the roost and the4re have been a number of reported disagreements at the top.
Former boss of Red Bull Leipzig has been appointed managing director of the holding company and a Red Bull observer has suggested: “Mintzlaff wants Horner to depart, not least because he has become too senior and too expensive for their liking. But the Thais on the main board aren’t so sure.”
The Thai contingent is headed by Chalerm Yoovidhya, son of Red Bull’s co-founder Chaleo, along with Mateschitz. Chalerm. As an heir to the company fortune, Yoovidhya is estimated to be worth some £30billion and is a Horner loyalist.
Given the Thai contingent hold 51% of the shares in the holding company it would be simple to assume the voting rights also sit with their shareholding. Yet the exact details of Didi’s will and testament and how he wanted his companies to be run has remained unclear.
Leclerc’s juicy Ferrari contract clause revealed
Horner replacement Jonathan Wheatley
Should the ‘external’ investigator find Horner guilty then the team’s Sporting director Jonathan Wheatley would be in prime position to takeover the team principal duties. The Daily Mail has reported Dr. Helmut Marko is not interested in running the team but a decision would need to be made quickly.
The team does not have time to enter an external search for a candidate given the RB20 will be revealed next week and pre-season testing in Bahrain is just over two weeks away with the Grand Prix just days after that.
Christian Horner has led the Red Bull team since its acquisition from Jaguar in 2004 and until this week it has been inconceivable he would not be at the helm, given the success he has overseen in less than 20 years.
Mercedes close ranks and back Russell “the leader”
Red Bull without Horner – inconceivable!
Red Bull have 7 drivers F1 titles and 6 constructor championships and given their relative infancy in the sport have only been bettered since their inception by Mercedes AMG F1. Yet Red Bull look certain to catch their arch rivals who have fallen into disarray since the regulation changes of 2022.
By the time the new F1 engine formula arrives in 2026, Red Bull could be ahead of Mercedes in terms of Formula One silverware and the Silver Arrows have their own internal controversy to deal with at present following the shock Lewis Hamilton announcement he is leaving for Ferrari.
READ MORE: Hamilton switch? Ex-team boss demands reasons
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
probably an over-sensitive staff person, IMHO. However, Christian is not so old that he should not be cognizant of workplace sensitivities when dealing with female staff.
Yeah or it might just be banter and yet another over-sensitive woke dickhead looking to ruin someone’s life because their views don’t align with their far left stupidity…sigh
You’re a charm, aren’t you
Probably???? A great big whoha for an over sensitive employee dont you think?
Yeah but this is the overly sensitive bored media too….
And an overly sensitive Red bull board too I suppose? They hired an outside legal expert to look Into the case based on the complaint alone and confirmed it to the media.
They had no choice to. It was leaked to the DUTCH media by someone, the story ran, and RedBull HAD to be seen to be taking it seriously, hence the statement and investigation
Too many oversensitive people in the world today especially women. They should take it as a compliment the fact that a man would take the time to send her a dick pic. I mean sending flowers is so 1960s
I hope for 2 things here
1. You’re taking the piss, and
2. If you’re not, you don’t have a daughter
I agree. I’m a woman and cannot stand how things have become. Everyone seems to employ under-qualified women rather than a knowledgeable man just to be politically correct, it’s sickening. If you take the job you have to accept what goes with it especially if you insist on working in a predominantly male environment.
My comment was sarcasm aimed at all of those cavemen who firstly blame the female employee for the actions of her boss and secondly believe its OK because he is such a good TP and shouldn’t be fired.
This is a re-org of the Red Bull racing group. Frans retired and Horner would never retire at 50. The complaint is fortuitous and allows change to achieve better value from the assets. Look at the big picture, The second team has to return more to the company bottom line as a drink company.
Red flags
1. Only one complaint from probably 1000 employees.
2. Female.
3. The already obvious pathetic power struggle at RB from a CEO of an umbrella company.
4. It’s 2024, it’s woke. (If you want to work in a predominantly male environment, toughen up cupcake.)
5. Controlling behaviour”? From a hyper smart and successful boss. Wow. Shocker. Bit of a lame accusation, no?
Anyway, I never thought I’d think the 70s and 80s were the good old days. But you can’t help envisage an overly sensitive Doris who was publicly told to improve, got embarrassed and has gone for his reputation, job and livelihood.
And of course, we must all listen to the poor little flower.
Red flags
1 Only one complaint? Then why is it taking so long. More complaints must have come forward.
2 Female….duh. unless he’s gay then yes
3 Pathetic power struggle. Why has no one spoken up for CH, absolutely no support from anywhere in RBR. Is it because they know the truth?
4 A woke predominantly male environment. Yes cavemen still exist in 2024.
5 Controlling behaviour. Rich powerful white boss uses his position to get what he wants. Shocker
Over sensitive dorris. If CH made comments to me that I found offensive he would wake up in icu. Don’t know if Doris could or would do that.
He is being fed to the lions. Why has jos. Marko. And even max said anything. Not one ounce of support. It is clear somebody wants him out . But also the truth will come out to . The so called accuser must be named. Why only horners name. The whole thing stings. Red bull get rid of horner. Then I can only see you slipping down the field.