Christian Horner is currently under investigation for alleged wrongdoing towards a female colleague. The investigation is being carried out by an independent party, and Horner is eagerly awaiting the conclusion of the process to determine his future as the head of Red Bull Racing.
Horner has been in charge of the team since 2005, when Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz acquired the struggling Jaguar F1 operation and transformed it into Red Bull Racing. Under Horner’s leadership, the team has become a dominant force in Formula 1, winning eight Drivers’ Championships and seven Constructors’ Titles.
However, since Mateschitz’s passing in 2022, there have been rumors of a power struggle between Horner and the top management of the energy drinks company. These speculations have gained momentum in light of the recent allegations against Horner, fueling further rumors. Bernie Ecclestone, the former F1 boss and a close friend of Horner, believes that this power struggle is the main driving force behind the accusations.
In an interview with AFP, Ecclestone stated, “I believe that when Dietrich [Mateschitz] passed away, it created an opportunity for certain individuals to fabricate stories and tarnish Horner’s reputation in order to push him out and create an opening for themselves. Essentially, they want to remove him from his position.” Ecclestone’s support for Horner remains unwavering, hoping that the longest-serving F1 team principal can withstand the storm of the investigation.
“He has achieved tremendous success and has made significant contributions, not only to the team but also to the sport,” Ecclestone added. “My advice to Christian is to stay low-key and wait for the outcome of the investigation.”
Despite being removed from his role as CEO of F1 in 2017, Ecclestone maintains a close relationship with Horner. “I stay in regular contact with him,” he revealed. “Unfortunately, when you achieve success, you also make enemies, and this situation is a prime example. I hope Christian remains focused and that both he and the woman involved can have a private conversation to resolve the issue.”
Horner became the youngest F1 team principal in history when he took control of Red Bull at the age of 31 in 2005. He and his team are currently preparing for the upcoming 2024 F1 season, with pre-season testing set to begin on February 21 in Bahrain. The first race of the season will also be held in Bahrain on March 2.
According to the source grandprix247.com
