Red Bull’s Christian Horner investigation that could oust Team Principal, explained

There have already been two shocking withdrawals from F1 this year. One was planned and the other was unplanned. First, Gunter Steiner resigned as Haas team principal, becoming the only manager in Haas’ history to be sacked before the 2024 season. Then there was the surprising announcement that Lewis Hamilton would leave Mercedes after the 2024 season and join Ferrari for the 2025 season.

Could there be another shocking departure planned for the 2024 season?

On Monday, reports surfaced that Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is under internal investigation over allegations of “inappropriate conduct”.dutch outlet De Telegraaf first reported on the investigation, saying that Red Bull employees had made serious allegations about team representatives to the team’s parent company, Red Bull GmbH.

As for what the investigation itself entails, reports vary.in another report times It said the complaint came from a female co-worker and was about “inappropriate and controlling behavior.” Associated Press It alleges the complaints are about Mr Horner’s aggressive management style. Motorsport-Total Fuschl’s Red Bull said there was a “document containing incriminating material outlining the charges” and that “Horner was said to have been amicably advised to voluntarily resign as team principal and vacate the post.” “There is,” the report said.

Red Bull released a short statement on Monday. Check the survey:

“After becoming aware of certain recent allegations, the company has launched an independent investigation. This process is already underway and is being carried out by external specialist lawyers. The company takes these matters extremely seriously. We intend to complete our investigation as soon as possible. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”

german outlet on tuesday car motor and sports Officials are expected to be questioned on Friday, it said.[i]If an external investigator concludes that the compliance allegations preclude continued employment, Red Bull will be forced to find a new team boss on short notice. ”

The research was conducted just days before Red Bull launched its challenger for the 2024 season, the RB20, the successor to the RB19, one of the most powerful cars in F1 history. The RB19 led Max Verstappen to his third consecutive Drivers’ Championship and won 19 of his 22 Grand Prix wins a season ago. Teammate Sergio Perez finished second in the drivers’ championship, helping the team win its second consecutive constructors’ title.

It seems doubtful that Horner will be seen chasing Red Bull’s third consecutive title. As all reports have pointed out, Horner is presumed innocent in the investigation, with his team principal stating: denied any wrongdoing.

The investigation also comes on the heels of a season in which there were numerous reports of a power struggle within Red Bull involving Mr Horner and senior adviser Dr Helmut Marko.marco Comment declined Monday when asked about the investigation into Mr. Horner.

As for who could potentially replace Horner at Red Bull, the team has both internal and external options. Jonathan Wheatley, the team’s athletic director, is one of the internal options. Wheatley said he was one of the first players appointed to the team in 2006 and has built a Pitt crew operation where he is considered one of the best players in the sport. . Pierre Washet, the team’s technical director, is also an internal option, but between the two it might make more sense for Washet to remain in his current role overseeing technical development and Wheatley promoted.

As for potential external options, recently sacked team principals include Mattia Binotto, who left Ferrari after the 2022 season, Otmar Szafnauer, who was sacked from Alpine last year, and Steiner, who was recently sacked. But given the internal options and timing available to Red Bull, they are considered a long shot at best, given that the team is just days away from breaking the RB20 cover.

Then there’s the issue of Adrian Newey, the team’s chief technology officer. Newey is credited with much of Red Bull’s success and is hailed as perhaps the greatest car designer in F1 history. In fact, he literally I wrote a book on it.

Long-time F1 journalist Joe Saward said in the early hours of Tuesday that a much-rumored contract clause that would allow Newey to leave Red Bull if Horner left, and vice versa, would come true if Horner was sacked. It was reported that there is a possibility.

All of this makes for an interesting week ahead at Red Bull.