Newey's Red Bull depature initiated by Horner after scandal

Two decades ago, Red Bull Racing's entrance into Formula 1 was revolutionary: A rebellious energy drink manufacturer, that shook up the conservative Formula 1 world, that grew into one of the most successful teams in the sport's history. The head of the team since 2004 has been Christian Horner. Is it time now, for the disgraced team boss, to finally leave his post at the Austrian team? Is it worth clinging on, even if the organisation is on the verge of collapse as a result?

Time and again in recent months, Christian Horner revealed that "nobody is bigger than the team". If Max Verstappen was no longer happy at the Austrian team, he would not stop the Dutchman from going elsewhere. Rumours about Adrian Newey considering leaving Red Bull? Horner denied it all at first, saying that Red Bull's success comes down to an incredible team effort. Might Horner be saying that it wouldn't make a difference if the design mastermind was there or not?

The fact that Verstappen, Newey and also Helmut Marko were thinking of parting ways with Red Bull at all comes down to one man: Christian Horner. It's remarkable that the man who had previously indicated that no one is bigger than the team appears to consider himself so, as he refuses to quit, despite criticism from various areas within his organisation. For a long time, Horner could point out that no matter how many stories there were about the state of his team, none had actually led to the departure of any of the key team members.

Newey leaves, will Verstappen follow?

But, that is about to change: Adrian Newey appears to be fed up with Horner and is leaving Red Bull Racing. By no means can the possibility be ruled out that Marko, and even Verstappen, will also leave the team, that is supposedly in tatters, at some point. Horner undoubtedly thinks he - and he alone - is capable of keeping Red Bull at the same level of performance it is currently at without important team players.

Red Bull excels firstly thanks to the RB20, a car for which Newey, as Chief Techincal Officer, is ultimately responsible for. Next, Helmut Marko is someone who knows how to recognise talent and make the most of it. Finally, there is Max Verstappen; a driver from another planet, and Horner can thank God that he is in one of the cars. With two drivers of Sergio Perez's calibre, Horner's world would have looked significantly different.

Horner deaf to all criticism

A good team boss is the binding agent between all departments; someone who makes sure everyone can function at their best, as well as maintaining team morale. It is precisely this important task that Horner is currently failing to fulfil, with the huge dissatisfaction of some of the key figures in the organisation obvious. Apparently, Horner is blind and deaf to any criticism of his own performance.

It is clear that Newey is going to leave and Horner has lost the 'game' which he has been playing. Red Bull Racing is on the verge of collapse. To avoid that doomsday scenario, there really is only one solution possible: the departure of the man who thinks he is indispensable.