The Red Bull drama entered the next round in Jeddah. All attempts to get rid of team boss Christian Horner were repelled thanks to the support of the Thai majority owners. An investigation by a law firm cleared him of allegations of inappropriate behavior toward an employee. But apart from Horner, no one knows exactly what the acquittal says.
Written requests for complete clarification from both the current engine supplier Honda and the future engine partner Ford are rejected by Horner. He appeals for the complaint to be dismissed and wants to let grass grow over the affair. Out of a feeling of strength, Horner now counterattacked. He tries to get rid of the alleged saboteurs.
Red Bull sports director Helmut Marko explained after qualifying that the second World Cup round of the year could possibly have been his last. Apparently Horner had threatened the sports director with a suspension. Apparently, Horner took offense at Marko for the Austrian spilling the beans about the letter from Honda on ORF. Horner also seems to insinuate that he is behind the dissemination of internal information about the employee’s complaint. Which is quite unlikely because Marko, as a lawyer, is certainly aware of the consequences of such an action.
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The tablecloth between Horner and Marko seems to have finally been cut.
Horner will Marko suspendieren
Events came to a head on Friday. Marko responded to an impending dismissal in front of the TV microphone by saying: “We need clarification on the matter to prevent damage to the brand and the team. The important thing is that we must not do anything that can cost Max the title. It But everything has to be right so that I want to continue working in this environment. I have to discuss this with my superior tomorrow.” So Oliver Mintzlaff.
After the announced conversation, the all-clear was given on Saturday. Marko explained on the Sky microphone: “It was a very good conversation. Of course, calm has to return to the team now. That’s a priority. We agreed on all points. I’ll carry on, but there has to be calm.”
One reason why the Red Bull management backed down could also have been Max Verstappen’s clear words. The world champion supported Marko in such a way that Horner had to fear losing his superstar at the end of the year.
Red Bull
With Max Verstappen, Marko still has an important ally in the team.
Verstappen demands loyalty to Marko
Verstappen said at the press conference after his superior pole position in Jeddah: “I have great respect for Helmut. We have achieved a lot together. He and Didi Mateschitz built the team from day one. That’s why everyone owes him loyalty. I as well.”
The 26-year-old Dutchman went one step further: “I said to everyone in the team that Helmut is a key figure in our team and that it is important that he stays. He was and is an important part of my decisions, too for the future. If such an important support were to leave us, it wouldn’t be good for me and for the team, because in the end it’s the overall performance of a team that counts. Helmut has to stay, there’s no doubt about that. If he leaves, we have a problem.”
This was more than just a warning to Horner. Translated, one could have interpreted this statement: If Marko leaves, I’m gone too. Where to go was already discussed extensively in the run-up to the Saudi Arabia GP. Verstappen’s first address would be Mercedes. Apparently his contract gives him the opportunity to leave the team if the management structure at Red Bull changes significantly.
Red Bull
Christian Horner obviously wants to take a chance. The team boss also seems to be accepting the possible departure of Max Verstappen.
Horner going it alone?
Apparently the words had the desired effect. Marko can stay for now. And Verstappen retains an ally in the Red Bull garage. Marko thanked his pilot: “That was very impressive and I’m very grateful to him. Max is one of the few here who has strength of character and shows loyalty.”
The fact that Marko was behind the email leak of the alleged chat logs between Horner and the employee only forced a tired smile from the 80-year-old: “The fact that I should have leaked the messages to the outside world is nonsense. I’ll be happy if “I can use my cell phone to some extent. I haven’t seen the report or any chat history. I deliberately stayed out of it. It’s absurd.”
It will be interesting to see how the affair develops in the next few days. According to Marko, there will be a conversation between Mintzlaff and majority owner Chalerm Yoovidhya in Dubai on Sunday. The matter is far from over. We keep hearing from the team that Horner is currently neither looking to the left nor to the right on his ego trip.
A voice says: “He seriously believes that he can win without Verstappen, Newey and Ford because he considers himself the architect of success.” The next round may be imminent in England. The employee on leave from Red Bull apparently wants to take civil action against her ex-boss. Then the secrecy would be over and all the facts would be on the table. However, such a process could take a long time.