Red Bull's stance on Horner's case shows internal rumblings

Christian Horner's position as Red Bull Racing's team principal seems to be faltering. There is an investigation into possible cross-border behaviour by the Briton, but above all, he seems to have lost Red Bull's trust. An analysis of the situation at the team of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.

The unrest at Red Bull first came out in October 2023. Brazil's O Globo was able to report that there was a power struggle within Red Bull. Christian Horner reportedly wanted to take more power to himself and, in the process, get rid of Helmut Marko. As advisor, Marko is the defining man of Red Bull GmbH, Red Bull's parent company. This still makes Marko the man who often makes the most important decisions and not Red Bull Racing team principal Horner.

Horner and Marko denied the rumours, but those rumours never completely disappeared. For instance, Max Verstappen is said to have stepped up to Red Bull's management highly personally. His message? 'If Marko has to leave, then I'll leave too'. That message got through to Red Bull's top management: Marko's contract was extended through 2026.

Why did the Horner investigation come out?

That seemed to be the end of the matter. Horner, Newey and Marko were all fixed until 2026 and Verstappen even until 2028. The core of the success team could thus be kept intact, on to more successes one would think. However, that calmness was severely disrupted on Monday by news about Horner.

There were alleged allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Christian Horner. Red Bull are taking it seriously and came out with a statement when F1-Insider and De Telegraaf asked for a comment. The parent company opened up, but perhaps a little too quickly.

A matter as sensitive as an investigation into a case of inappropirate behaviour is something that, as a brand and as a team, you prefer to keep indoors. The fact that this information was nevertheless leaked to the media and that Red Bull then also responded directly to the investigation is striking to say the least.

Have Red Bull lost faith in Horner?

Red Bull Racing, the Formula One team, was not privy to the parent company's reaction. Horner denied the allegations and that is also pointed out by the team when asked by GPblog. Horner will also continue to be employed by Red Bull Racing as long as the investigation is ongoing. The team principal was even reportedly asked by Red Bull's top to resign himself, but the longest-serving team boss in F1 declined.

Clearly, the investigation into Horner should speak for itself. Until the outcome of the investigation, Horner is innocent. However, what is perhaps even more worrying than the investigation is the fact that this is very clear signal that things are rumbling within Red Bull. After appearing to have returned to calm and Red Bull choosing to remain consistent even under the new leadership, it is clearly letting Horner down here. Rightly or wrongly, the future will have to tell.