Our latest op-ed article is penned by Carlo, a life-long Formula 1 devotee and former Formula Ford racer, who has been a long-time contributor to our discussions on the world of motorsport. His deep-seated passion for F1, stemming from the early 70s, coupled with firsthand racing experience, lends a unique and insightful perspective to the evolving narratives within the sport.

Today, Carlo delves into the recent, startling developments in Formula 1’s winter season—a period traditionally marked by a lull in on-track action but currently abuzz with significant news impacting the sport’s landscape.

 

Horner Culling

By Carlo

I must admit that the last week, or so, has been absolutely compelling in regards F1’s winter. Normally the fan base is left scratching around for months between on-track action, from one season to the next,  and any articles feel somewhat nauseating in their blandness.

 

 

 

Personal Reflections: A Ferrari Fan’s Take on the Hamilton Saga

Yet I am sitting here, on a Saturday evening trying to digest the monumental news of Lewis Hamilton having joined Ferrari for 2025, Christian Horner being literally thrown to the lions and the endless possibilities of different drivers feeling the urge to be fitted for a seat with the Silver Arrows.

My personal take on the Hamilton move I feel needs some reflection. I’m a lifelong Ferrari fan, since the early 70’s, and have some unorthodox views on this. Also I figure, seeing that this particular narrative has a lead time of almost a year, it can wait.

The great Christian Horner “stitch up” exposed

 

 

 

 

Red Bull: Sifting Through the Speculation

Today I read a piece on thejudge13.com regards the current situation that has arisen within the Red Bull Empire; a view which incidentally I fully endorse. I have read a number of websites, both English and Italian, and not one of them offers an authoritative view on any of the proceedings that have engulfed the Milton Keynes squad and the subsequent rhetoric appears distasteful.

Of course, over the years, decades and centuries, times change. I would suggest that the internet has bred a civilisation of keyboard warriors that use this anonymity to have a voice instead of having the bravery to actually preach their message. We cannot possibly have an opinion that might offend anybody and subsequently we have individuals taking offence at every possible opportunity.

It’s plainly obvious that whatever Horner is claimed to have done – it is not a criminal offence otherwise the police would be involved. As the days have passed by, since the original breaking news, the suggestions have filtered down to possibly bullying or coercive control. 

 

 

The Cultural Shift in F1

I have no knowledge other than what has been ‘reported’ elsewhere but for the life of me I cannot stop repeating the mantra ‘back in my day!’ Don’t misunderstand me, I am not suggesting that any form of bullying or behavioural control is acceptable – it’s not, I find this behaviour intolerable.

I have seen, and also been subject to, incidences of this throughout my working and personal life and whenever confronted with this I have always stood up and confronted the situation; head back, chest forward and ready to fight my corner. Maybe I’m old school, but I always felt an attitude of straight-forward communication was the best way to earn respect.

Following a similar tangent, to this day I find it absolutely absurd how health and safety has infiltrated our lives in everyday situations. I still struggle to accept a peanut package having a clearly written warning that the product may ‘contain nuts’, or a cup of coffee similarly states that contents may be HOT!! No s*** Sherlock!!

I’m not a lawyer but sometimes you hear of ridiculous court cases in America which have been brought by complainants and they f*****g win!! Why, why, why are we striving to become more stupid than previous generations?

Details of Red Bull offer to Albon

 

 

 

 

New Norms of Safety and Sensitivity

So Horner may have been a little aggressive in a meeting and somebody took offence. Is anybody suggesting that this is the first time he’s behaved this way? After 20 years running the Red Bull team, why has his management style never been questioned previously? I mean, Helmut Marko is the usual suspect in anything questionable within that organisation.

Toto Wolff is often seen enraged by what he feels outlandish circumstances on track. Possibly the most famous tantrum being after the 2021 Abu Dhabi race. Franz Tost was a tough task master, Maurizio Arrivabene wasn’t an easy man to work for, ask Sebastien Vettel, and Sergio Marchionne was even more fearsome before his tragic passing. 

Gunther Steiner became a Netflix legend because he didn’t hold back and every time I have heard reports of Lawrence Stroll – subtle and even-tempered are not descriptions laid at his door. I have to add he’s a supremely gifted businessman with both Tommy Hilfiger and Michael Kors amongst his accomplishments. Word is he hasn’t changed since those halcyon days.

I’m lucky that I can go back several generations to reflect on team principals and owners and I’d imagine every driver who drove for them, and engineers that worked for them, would respectively have haunting snippets to divulge.

Sainz breaks silence on Ferrari contract he rejected

 

 

 

Enzo Ferrari was born in the late 19th century and I’d imagine his tolerance levels for ineptitude would have mirrored an Italian temperament. Yet Englishman Colin Chapman was a notoriously difficult man to work for, as was Ken Tyrrell, Bernie Ecclestone, Frenchman Guy Ligier and co. 

Of course, these were men from a completely different era. I could move the time scale forward and throw in the names of Frank Williams, Ron Dennis and Flavio Briatore – all multiple winners and ruthless within their organisations.

It’s not just F1 that sees this effect either. Whilst Bill Gates and Steve Jobs were notorious for their aggressive attitudes throughout their business careers, any documentary of Elon Musk shows a driven individual who barely registers human discomfort within his teams – merely focused on the end goal. 

In other team sports, the TV interviews of Sir Alec Ferguson, Pep Guardiola, Bruno Conte or Jose Mourinho – in fact any successful manager – would suggest a disarming personality but the legendary stories from behind the scenes appear to showcase a brutal, harassing yet winning mind-set.

Mercedes close ranks and back Russell “the leader”

 

 

 

Predictions and Possibilities for F1’s Future Landscape

In all honesty, I do not know if Horner will survive this Caesarean culling at Red Bull. The instigators, I would imagine, will never be forthcoming with the truth but for all the underhand machinations that have become part of the history of the sport, this will just be another chapter in its story.

I question if the ‘Dutch newspaper’ angle is too obvious, in blaming Jos Verstappen for the origins of this? Did the tete-a-tete last year between Marko and Horner trigger this response? Or is Oliver Mintzlaff flexing his muscle and wanting to take over the whole gamut?

I doubt drivers or engineers flock to Milton Keynes (somewhere I live close to) because of its leafy suburbs, there is none, or its fabulous culture, similarly. In the same manner, I doubt they are enticed by working with Christian Horner. Yes he has been successful as a Team Principal but I think the real reason Red Bull cultivates success and allegiances are because of the opportunity to work with Adrian Newey.

Chapman’s Lotus, once a rival to Ferrari has disappeared to become a rose-tinted anomaly. Tyrrell morphed into BAR, then Honda, Brawn and finally Mercedes. Brabham and Ligier and countless others are merely footnotes in F1 history. Red Bull may be the dominant force in F1 currently but I will admit that when I heard of the passing of Dieter Mateschitz in 2022 I felt it only a matter of time before the suits came in to take credit.

Articles speak of Newey and Horner not being tied to each other, although I suspect its more conjecture than fact. Fantasy leads to interviews that Newey has given of ‘emotional regrets’ at not having worked for Ferrari or with Fernando Alonso or Lewis Hamilton. Therefore the logic states that Ferrari may well make him a ridiculous offer to fulfil his ambitions.

 

 

 

Final thoughts

As a Ferrari fan, this would be manna from heaven but as Fred Vasseur and Ferrari strengthen their facility I’m not convinced Newey will be heading to Emilia-Romagna any time soon. 

I also can’t see this fabled designer heading over to Brackley. I cannot imagine he would want to collaborate with Toto Wolff, after the 2021 season, and what would he prove heading into a multiple title winning organisation anyway?

However, with the Valkyrie in production – a link in sponsorship between Red Bull and Aston Martin from 2016-2020 – I can see a future where the Honda engined team has recruited both Horner and Newey to its roster and Alonso continues to astound the racing world vying for victories in his mid-40’s.

Details of Hamilton Ferrari contract leaked

 

 

 

 

MORE F1 NEWS: Verstappen implicated in Horner misconduct leak

If you believe the established F1 press Christian Horner is fighting for his place as the head of the Red Bull Racing Formula One team. Having been accused of “inappropriate and controlling behaviour” the longest established F1 team principal is mired in a lengthy investigation instigated by the Austrian holding company which owns the world champion constructors.

As TJ13 has previously commented, revelations of this nature usually divulge incremental details following the shock announcement. Yet in Horner’s case no further details of his…READ MORE ON THIS STORY