Last Updated on March 18 2024, 12:16 pm

The Red Bull saga dominated pre-season testing but it looked as though the organisation had wrapped up the matter before the Bahrain Grand Prix. Having concluded an investigation into an accusation against Christian Horner and dismissing the complaint, the matter reared its head as an anonymous email dropped into 149 inboxes of senior paddock F1 folk.

The email contained alleged documents from the investigation which appeared to cast the Red Bull team boss in a poor light. The Austrian based company is now conducting another internal investigation to find the source of the so called ‘leak.’

 

 

 

Jos Verstappen stirs trouble

Meanwhile Jos Verstappen had added to the drama, calling for Christian Horner to leave the team before it is ‘torn apart’ – after the chequered flag fell in Bahrain. Max’s father was absent from the subsequent Saudi Grand Prix but again made his thoughts clear to the media.

“I sympathize with the woman, with all that she went through, but we will see what happens,” he said while attending a rally event in Belgium.

And on the topic of Christian Horner, Jos added: “I think he will stay for the rest of the season. I said it would be bad if he stayed; it really isn’t good for the team, this whole situation.”

Earlier Max Verstappen had issued a not so veiled threat that of Dr. Helmut Marko were forced to leave Red Bull, then he too would look for a drive elsewhere. Dr. Marko at the time was about to be suspended, presumably he was considered as a possible candidate involved in the leak.

Hamilton criticised and Mercedes “fooling themselves”

 

 

 

Horner threatens Red Bull future without Max

Christian Horner was swift to respond to Max’ s comments making it clear if his star driver wanted to leave, Red Bull would not hold him to his 2028 contract.

“Max is an important member of our team. He’s a valued member of our team. He’s a wonderful driver, but everybody has a role to play in this team. We are a team,” said the Red Bull boss.

As if to make it crystal clear, Horner concluded: ”No single individual is bigger than the team.”

With the internal struggles within the Red Bull organisation apparently coming to an end due to the Austrian company board members appearing in the Jeddah paddock throughout the weekend, the one question remaining was how would Max, Jos and Helmut find their way back from the brink given their apparent opposition to Horner?

Aston boss fuels Alonso to Mercedes rumours

 

 

 

Possible FIA involvement in Red Bull saga

Meantime the female accuser has appealed the decision by Red Bull Racing and also the FIA has allegedly received a complaint about Horner’s behaviour as s senior member of the F1 paddock.

The FIA kind of conformed nothing was going on, by making an unnecessary statement which would only be required if a complaint had been made.

“At the FIA, enquiries and complaints are received and managed by the Compliance Officer, and the Ethics Committee where appropriate,” an FIA statement declared.

“Both bodies operate autonomously, guaranteeing strict confidentiality throughout the process.

Steiner’s stark admission about time at Haas F1

 

 

 

Red Bull deny knowledge if investigation

“As a consequence, and in general, we are unable to confirm the receipt of any specific complaint and it is unlikely that we will be able to provide further comment on the complaints that we may receive from any parties.”

The team said in reply: “Red Bull Racing said it had no knowledge of the complaint and would not comment further,” highlighting the escalating tensions within the team.”

So now would Jos use this to continue his battle to get Horner removed, or would he fall into line – was the question coming into the Australian Grand Prix?

It appears Jos has been backed into a corner given the threat of Red Bull Racing searching for a replacement driver for his son. Well the Belgian media outlet Spores now reveal there is a call for “peace and calm” coming from the Verstappen corner ahead of the media arriving in Melbourne.

Ricciardo “chances fading’ says fellow Aussie F1 racer

 

 

 

Jos Verstappen backed into a corner

Jos accepted there had been a power struggle admitting, “That’s part of it, but it is also necessary that there is peace in the team now. It’s necessary to get some calm again, but given the circumstances, it will take a while, I think.”

Max’s dad further elaborated, “I can’t say much about it. Hopefully they can concentrate on racing again soon, because that’s what it’s all about. And it’s important that Max continues to win.”

Jos was forced to back track on his comments about the team being ‘torn apart’ and admitted, “The car is running very well and between the engineers and him there is nothing wrong. For the most part, Max can switch off, but he gets a lot of questions about it.” 

“He doesn’t like that, but it is also part of Formula 1.”

Alpine for sale rumours grow

 

 

 

Max clarion call for ‘peace’

Max is one of the most media savvy drivers on the grid and last tine out his final interview sounded like a clarion call to his father to drop his criticism of the state of the team.

Asked after the second win of the year whether he would walk away from Red Bull, Verstappen replied: “I always said that what is most important is that we work together as a team and that everyone keeps the peace.

“And that’s what we, I think, all agree on within the team. So hopefully, from now on, that is also fully the case.

“Everyone is trying to focus in the same direction. And I think the positive out of all this is that it didn’t hurt out performances. So it’s a very strong team.”

Massa’s best friend sides with Hamilton in court

 

 

 

Harmony in Melbourne Red Bull garage?

Max insisted whatever had been going on the team members were still ‘doing their job’.

“I think also mentally, what you can see from not only the driver’s side, but also mechanics, engineers, everyone is there to do their job,” added the three times champion.

“And I think everyone, even when there is stuff going on or whatever, they’re just focused on their job as they should be.”

With Jos now echoing the call for peace it appears as though Red Bull will for now have a peaceful weekend in Melbourne. But this will only last until either the results of the alleged FIA investigation or the appeal from the female accuser are resolved and making headlines again.

Mercedes desperate test for Melbourne

 

 

Hamilton commitment now openly questione

Lewis Hamilton had every right to feel sorry for himself at the start of the 2022 Formula One season. Having fought back from a defect to Max Verstappen, Hamilton won the first three of the final four rounds in 2021.

Yet at the finale in the desert, the F1 gods decided it was time for a change and Max Verstappen benefitted from an unusual decision made during the safety car restart procedure. Passing Hamilton on the last lap of the race in Abu Dhabi, Max claimed his first F1 drivers’ title and prevent ed Lewis Hamilton from making it a record number eight… READ MORE