Red Bull has responded to speculations that Christian Horner is going to be fired ahead of the Australian Grand Prix later this month. The long-serving team principal is still under criticism, after being exonerated of wrongdoing following an examination into complaints of unethical behaviour.
The female Red Bull employee who filed the complaint has been suspended by the beverages business. Horner, who vehemently denies any wrongdoing, was in Bahrain for the 2024 season opener and will lead the squad again in Saudi Arabia this weekend.
However, issues remain behind the scenes, with Jos Verstappen, the father of Red Bull’s star driver Max, publicly calling for Horner’s resignation. Throughout the drama, Horner is thought to have maintained the support of Chalerm Yoodivhya, Red Bull’s principal owner.
However, according to a story published on Sunday by F1-Insider, the Thai billionaire is changing his tune and, along with fellow prominent Red Bull officials Mark Mateschitz and Oliver Mintzlaff, is planning to fire Horner before the Australian Grand Prix on March 24.
The female Red Bull employee who filed the complaint has been suspended by the beverages business. Horner, who vehemently denies any wrongdoing, was in Bahrain for the 2024 season opener and will lead the squad again in Saudi Arabia this weekend.
However, issues remain behind the scenes, with Jos Verstappen, the father of Red Bull’s star driver Max, publicly calling for Horner’s resignation. Throughout the drama, Horner is thought to have maintained the support of Chalerm Yoodivhya, Red Bull’s principal owner.
However, according to a story published on Sunday by F1-Insider, the Thai billionaire is changing his tune and, along with fellow prominent Red Bull officials Mark Mateschitz and Oliver Mintzlaff, is planning to fire Horner before the Australian Grand Prix on March 24.
Just as speculation about Horner’s future began to fade, Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko announced in Jeddah that he was facing suspension. Verstappen then threatened to leave the team if his long-time ally was forced out.
Marko met with Red Bull’s CEO and has agreed to stay on. Friction persists, however, as Marko is thought to have changed his trip back from Jeddah to avoid flying with Horner.
The chaos behind the scenes is not reflected in the standings, as Verstappen is currently 15 points clear in the hunt for his fourth consecutive Drivers’ Championship. Sergio Perez, his Red Bull teammate, is in second.
The pair finished first and second in Bahrain before replicating the feat in Jeddah, with the RB20 outpacing the competition in terms of speed and performance.
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