The dramatic situation at Red Bull continues and has been going on for a month and a half. But in reality, its origins are much older.
Max Verstappen is dominating in a way Formula 1 has never seen before. In the consecutive wins table, Verstappen is currently first and third, having won 10 times and 8 times in a row. But only one race separates the two series – the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix. If he won there too, he would have 19 victories in a row!
But the mood inside the team is more reminiscent of scenes from the famous series House of Cards. At first glance, the pilot for this reality show was an article by De Telegraaf, which published in early February that Christian Horner was facing an internal investigation for inappropriate behavior towards a female colleague. But in fact, the breakup of Red Bull began earlier – with the death of one of the founders of Red Bull, Dietrich Mateschitz, in October 2022.
Web formu1a.uno it is a good reminder that the first snag came earlier. In 2026, new power units will come to F1. In addition to the existing manufacturers (including Honda), Audi also intends to enter F1. Originally, the car company was supposed to enter the queen of motorsport with its sibling from the VW concern. Porsche wanted to manufacture power units and buy a stake in the Red Bull team.
In the end, however, no agreement was reached. The main obstacle was Porsche’s ambition to play a much bigger role in the team itself. Finally, Red Bull manufactures its own power units in cooperation with Ford. In this case, however, the partnership is much looser.
According to formu1a.uno, Christian Horner was a big opponent of Porsche’s entry. He, on the other hand, wanted to have a share in the team himself – similar to how Toto Wolff owns a third of the Mercedes team.
Foto: Getty Images / Mark Thompson
The main reasons for the current tension within Red Bull are still unclear. Gradually, however, the distribution of forces crystallizes. On one side is the “Thai” part of Red Bull.
The energy drink manufacturer is now owned by the children of the original founders. Majority owner (51%) Chalerm Yoovidhya was in Bahrain and Christian Horner made sure to appear with him in a number of photographs.
On the other hand, the Austrian part is led by Oliver Mintzlaff, who is in charge of the sports side of the Red Bull company. He also has Helmut Marko on his side and apparently Jos Verstappen too. Yoovidhya allegedly never fully trusted the Austrian part.
Already last fall, there was information that Horner was working behind the scenes to ensure that Red Bull did not extend Mark’s contract. Marko stayed with Red Bull, probably partly due to Verstappen’s influence.
At the beginning of February, on the other hand, the effort to remove Horner failed. BusinessF1 brought the information that Red Bull (Austrian part) wanted to publish the information that Horner was retiring right at the beginning of February. But just before the release, Horner’s lawyers called and pulled his contract and forced an independent investigation.
However, an internal investigation cleared Horner. On the other hand, the employee who called him was suspended.
But the calm lasted only a short time. Before the first race of the season, someone sent dozens of journalists, F1 and FOM, alleged screenshots of Horner’s inappropriate communication. A few tens of hours later, Jos Verstappen told the Daily Mail that Horner should leave, otherwise the team will fall apart.
During the Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia, it became clear that Helmut Marko is facing an investigation this time due to a possible leak of information to the media. There is speculation in Chile that Marko will be suspended.
Apart from the obvious struggle for power, there is also a line shrouded in fog. Can the current turmoil catapult Verstappen to Mercedes? From a practical point of view, the first half is possible – Hamilton is leaving for Ferrari, so there is a vacant seat at Mercedes for next year. And Mercedes would of course take Verstappen with all ten.
Verstappen has a contract not only for next year but also for the following years. Of course, the question arises as to why Verstappen would leave the team that built him the best car and with which he is most likely to win a fourth title this year.
Verstappen had previously said his goal was to win the title. Everything else is extra. It can thus be a new challenge, but at the same time it can also have a completely pragmatic rationale. New engines will arrive in 2026. Although Red Bull hired a number of experienced engineers (paradoxically mainly from Mercedes), the development of a new power unit will still be a huge challenge requiring the experience of the entire factory. At first glance, the drive unit is simpler (the MGU-H disappears), but it brings a challenge in the form of a larger share of the electric component and, above all, the arrival of sustainable fuel. Nobody knows today how individual manufacturers will fare. Can anyone build a significantly better powerplant? We don’t know. Purely on paper, of course, manufacturers such as Mercedes or Ferrari have a better background and thus also the prerequisites.
Max Verstappen was asked about a possible departure before the weekend and refused it.
“(…) Of course it’s about the performance of the car and from 2026 it’s a bit of a question mark with the new regulations. But I knew that when I signed the contract and I also know what they have done for me throughout my career. So the intention is to stay in this team because I enjoy it here.”
“And I’m also really happy within the team. As long as we perform, there is no reason to leave.”
It is speculated that Verstappen has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave if Marko leaves.
We don’t know if that’s the case. But what we see is that while Max Verstappen sided with Christina Horner rather lukewarmly, Marko was much more direct.
“For me, Helmut is a very key factor in that direction and he definitely has to stay,” he told Sky Sports yesterday.
Asked if Marko had to stay so he could stay, Verstappen said: “I’ve always told the team that, they know that.”
Former football official Mintzlaff is flying to Jeddah today. We can only guess how this match will play out. Will Helmut Marko end? Will Christian Horner finally leave and will Max Verstappen continue to be a Red Bull driver next year?
2024-03-09 11:02:00
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