Doubts about whether investigation into Horner was truly independent

Christian Horner hopes that calm will return within Red Bull Racing, but GPblog has learned that is not going to happen for now. In addition, serious doubts remain about Max Verstappen's future with the team.

"The reality is that there was a grievance that was raised. It was dealt with in the most professional manner by the group, not by Red Bull Racing, but by the owners of Red Bull Racing, Red Bull GmbH, who appointed an independent KC that is one of the most reputable KCs in the land. He took time to investigate fully, all of the facts. He interviewed all of the people involved, together with others of interest. He looked at everything. He had all of the facts. He came to a conclusion where he dismissed the grievance. As far as I'm concerned, as far as Red Bull is concerned, we move on, and we look to the future."

Christian Horner hoped these words and an emotional speech at a press conference would reduce the unrest. He was tired of constantly being asked about allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a female colleague. The plea to move on did not go down well with everyone, including internally at Red Bull Racing.

Why things are still unsettled at Red Bull Racing

It is clear that things are still rumbling within the team. On Friday, right before qualifying, it was revealed that Helmut Marko might be suspended. Red Bull Racing knew nothing about it. The parties claimed Marko is not an employee of Red Bull Racing. As it turns out, things are slightly different.

GPblog.com has learned that Red Bull's Thai owners and Christian Horner were the ones pushing for Marko's possible suspension. That suspension was avoided on Saturday after a crisis meeting, partly due to Max Verstappen's plea. After all, the latter is very adamant: 'if Marko leaves, then I leave too'.

It would not be the first time Horner has tried to get Marko out at Red Bull, and it only makes tensions rise further. Whereas Horner, backed by Red Bull's Thai ownership, wants to move on to business as usual, there are doubts at Red Bull Austria about that same investigation. The independent lawyer was appointed by Red Bull Thailand, which raises doubts about whether the investigation was truly independent.

Verstappen's future at Red Bull Racing

Jos Verstappen has already publicly stated he wants Christian Horner to quit. According to Max Verstappen's father, only then will peace return. For now, however, that calm is not returning, as Horner still feels supported by Chalerm Yoovidhya, the man with the majority share. Consequently, within Verstappen's camp, people are unsure how to proceed at Red Bull Racing.

One thing is clear: if Marko is pushed aside, Max Verstappen will leave the Austrian racing team. However, as long as Horner stays on, there is also a chance that Verstappen will leave at the end of 2024. Verstappen has a contract at Red Bull Racing until 2028, but that does not mean he will necessarily stay with the team until then. The triple world champion's contract includes several options to leave early. Internally, that option is being taken more and more seriously now that Horner remains the team boss.

Horner hopes to put the matter behind him after the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, but the last has certainly not yet been said. Verstappen and Red Bull, with their advantage, will go on to win quite a few more races in 2024, but whether that will continue into the future is a huge question mark at the moment.