The Red Bull drama is entering the next round. All attempts to get rid of team boss Christian Horner were repelled thanks to the support of the Thai majority owners. An investigation by a law firm cleared him of allegations of inappropriate behavior toward an employee. But apart from Horner, no one knows exactly what the acquittal says.
Written requests for complete clarification from both the current engine supplier Honda and the future engine partner Ford are rejected by Horner. He appeals for the complaint to be dismissed and wants to let grass grow over the affair. Out of a feeling of strength, Horner now goes on a counterattack and tries to get rid of the alleged saboteurs.
Red Bull sports director Helmut Marko explained in Jeddah that the second World Cup round of the year could possibly have been his last. Horner threatened the man from Graz with a suspension. Apparently he uses the excuse that Marko spilled the matter with the letter from Honda on ORF. Horner also seems to insinuate that he is behind the dissemination of internal information about the employee’s complaint. Which is quite unlikely because Marko, as a lawyer, is certainly aware of the consequences of such an action.
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The tablecloth between Horner and Marko seems to have been cut.
Horner will Marko suspendieren
With the help of his sponsor Chalerm Yoovidhya, who owns 51 percent of Red Bull, Horner is able to get rid of his opponents. Red Bull managing director Oliver Mintzlaff could also be targeted by the 50-year-old Englishman, who wants to become the sole head of all Red Bull’s motorsport activities with permission from Thailand.
Events came to a head on Friday. Marko responded to an impending dismissal in front of the TV microphone by saying: “We need clarification on the matter to prevent damage to the brand and the team. The important thing is that we must not do anything that can cost Max the title. It But everything has to be right so that I want to continue working in this environment. I have to discuss this with my superior tomorrow.” So Oliver Mintzlaff.
After a separation initially seemed certain, perhaps a door could open again. Possibly also because of Max Verstappen’s clear words. The world champion supported Marko in such a way that Horner had to fear losing his superstar at the end of the year.
Red Bull
With Max Verstappen, Marko still has an important ally in the team.
Verstappen demands loyalty to Marko
Verstappen said at the press conference after his superior pole position in Jeddah: “I have great respect for Helmut. We have achieved a lot together. He and Didi Mateschitz built the team from day one. That’s why everyone owes him loyalty. I as well.”
The 26-year-old Dutchman went one step further: “I said to everyone in the team that Helmut is a key figure in our team and that it is important that he stays. He was and is an important part of my decisions, too for the future. If such an important support were to leave us, it wouldn’t be good for me and for the team, because in the end it’s the overall performance of a team that counts. Helmut has to stay, there’s no doubt about that. If he leaves, we have a problem.”
This was more than just a warning to Horner. Translated, this statement could also be interpreted as follows: If Marko leaves, I’m gone too. Where to go was already discussed extensively in the run-up to the Saudi Arabia GP. Verstappen’s first address would be Mercedes. Apparently his contract gives him the opportunity to leave the team if the management structure at Red Bull changes significantly.
Red Bull
Christian Horner wants to take a chance. The team boss also accepts the possible departure of Max Verstappen.
Horner going it alone?
It’s unclear whether Horner got the message. When asked, Marko said that the balls are flying back and forth and that new water level reports should be expected every hour, but there are also voices in the team that claim that Horner looks neither to the left nor to the right on his ego trip. A voice from the team: “He believes in all seriousness that he can win without Verstappen, Newey and Ford because he considers himself the architect of success.”
The next round may be just around the corner. The employee who was on leave from Red Bull now apparently wants to take civil action against her ex-boss. Then the secrecy would be over and all the facts would be on the table. However, such a process could take a long time. Is that still enough for Marko?