F1 LIVE: Christian Horner ‘will leave Red Bull’ as Hamilton replacement drops hint

Christian Horner faces an uncertain future at Red Bull

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner will be questioned on Friday as part of an independent investigation into allegations of inappropriate and controlling behaviour made against the Brit. Horner has denied the claims, made against him by a Red Bull employee.

No timeline has been set for the investigation to conclude but we will be keeping you up to date with this story as it develops.

Elsewhere, Mercedes continue their search for Lewis Hamilton’s replacement. Carlos Sainz Jr, Alex Albon, Esteban Ocon, Lando Norris and Frederik Vesti have been linked as potential successors in 2025, however, there is no clear frontrunner at this stage.

HORNER FACES UNCERTAIN FUTURE

Christian Horner faces an uncertain future at Red Bull after an investigation was launched into alleged inappropriate and controlling behaviour by the Brit. Former Formula One driver Giedo van der Garde believes Horner could be out a job as early as next week as the Red Bull team principal gears up for a hearing on Friday.

“Horner is, of course, controlled internally by Red Bull. Believe me, when that presentation comes next week, there is no way Horner will be there presenting,” Van der Garde said on his DRS: De Race Show podcast.

“For Red Bull this is obviously dramatic and then they also have those presentations next week. Red Bull will come again with a mega-good car, so in that respect they will have a very nice season, but this is a bit of a blemish on the name, but also the team.”

Hamilton replacement target confirms Mercedes ‘links’

Alpine’s Esteban Ocon has confirmed that he remains under Mercedes management as the Silver Arrows search for Lewis Hamilton’s replacement.

Ocon made his Formula 1 debut as a Mercedes junior back in 2016 and has previously filled in as a reserve driver as well. However, he has never been called up to main team yet he insists he is still under their banner so the “links” remain.

“It’s clear that we have links with Mercedes,” Ocon said. “I’m managed by Mercedes for a long time now, since 2015.

“I’m a junior, even if I’m not that junior anymore. But yeah, we’ll see what the future holds.

“As I said, at the moment, I’m completely dedicated to Alpine, what I have to do with the team and the plan that we have ahead as well.

“And that’s the whole focus I need to have, because these things are very disruptive focus-wise and that’s why I have a very competitive management team that’s able to take the right choices on where we have to be, so I’m not worried and my focus is on the track.”