The scandal has also strained the relationship between Horner and Verstappen and his team.
Christian Horner, the boss of Red Bull Racing, is currently under intense scrutiny and uncertainty regarding his future with the team, following a series of controversies and a disagreement with lead driver Max Verstappen.
Although cleared of any wrongdoing after an internal investigation related to allegations made by a staff member, Horner’s position has become precarious due to leaked messages that emerged shortly after his exoneration, bringing new attention to his leadership role.
This scandal comes amid Red Bull’s impressive performance at the start of the Formula 1 season, with Horner expressing his determination to maintain his position and asserting his innocence throughout the process.
His wife, Geri, has also shown her support by accompanying him to races, despite reports suggesting she is dealing with the continued presence of the accuser within the team.
The situation has received widespread media coverage, with “The Sun” exposing the internal conflict and “Mirror” reporting Geri Horner’s discomfort.
An upcoming feature in an F1 trade magazine, spanning 19 pages, is expected to address the challenges at the helm of Red Bull amid allegations of inaccuracies by Horner’s allies.
The controversy has also strained Horner’s relationship with Verstappen and his team.
Jos Verstappen, Max’s father and former F1 driver, has been openly critical, highlighting the detrimental impact on team unity and advocating for Horner’s resignation.
He stated: “There is tension here as long as he (Horner) remains in his position.
“The team is at risk of falling apart. It can’t continue like this.
“It will blow up.
“He is playing the victim, when he is the one causing the problems.”
In an attempt to calm the turmoil, Horner met with Verstappen’s manager and top executives from Red Bull in Dubai, ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, in a meeting described as successful by insiders.
However, discord led to Jos Verstappen’s decision to skip the Jeddah race after a public argument with Horner in Bahrain.
Despite the turbulence, Horner publicly stated his belief in maintaining his leadership role, citing the support of his family, team, and Red Bull’s majority shareholder, Chalerm Yoovidhya.
He emphasized his dedication to the team’s success and his personal focus on family and racing.
Meanwhile, Verstappen chose to focus on his performance and the team’s goals, distancing himself from the off-track drama and emphasizing the team’s commitment to their profession.
