Christian Horner ‘replaceable’ as Max Verstappen told to ignore Red Bull saga
Max Verstappen advised to ignore Red Bull saga, Christian Horner is ‘substitutable’
F1 Testing in Bahrain – Day 1
Christian Horner and Max Verstappen.
Three-time world champion Max Verstappen has been told he shouldn’t be interested in Christian Horner’s story even if the Red Bull team principal loses his job. Horner, 50, is currently under investigation following allegations of inappropriate behavior by a female employee.
The controversy was put on the back burner ahead of the first round of pre-season testing in Bahrain, with the FIA calling for a swift conclusion to the matter. However, Jos Frans Verschul, the former manager of Max Verstappen’s father, does not believe Horner’s departure from Red Bull is a formality.
The former GT4 driver also questioned the authenticity of news of the scandal, which was first reported by Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. “As long as the FIA doesn’t get involved and it doesn’t have a negative impact on the sport, it’s an internal matter for Red Bull,” he told Arn Tafel on the F1 podcast.
“If the FIA doesn’t think he should be suspended, then I don’t think it’s that serious.” He also accused the media of a tendency to “fantasy”, adding that the powers that be within Red Bull He suggested that the struggle was at the root of the problem. F1 Testing in Bahrain – Day 1
Christian Horner denies the accusations against him.
“I think there was some fighting between Thailand and Austria after (Dietrich) Mateschitz’s death,” he added. The Austrian died in October 2022 at the age of 78, after founding Red Bull GmbH with Chaleo Juvidya some 28 years ago.
“The (Thai) co-owner, who has 51% of the capital, will take a little more control and side with Horner, but Marko will be more on the Austrian side. It’s a kind of division. We can’t all go through the same door. But so far he (Horner) has not killed anyone. “Even if Horner had to leave, it would mean nothing to Max. In the end, anyone could be replaced.
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Verstappen and Horner have undoubtedly developed a close relationship as the 26-year-old continues to dominate the sport. The 2023 title marked the third consecutive year in F1, and the team also won the contractor’s title in a row.
But Verschuhl believes Verstappen’s current dominance on track will not be diminished even if the British manager leaves F1. Horner himself categorically denies all accusations. And he arrived in the Middle East with his team, insisting it was “business as usual” as all teams begin preparations for the first race weekend of the 2024 season, when they return to Bahrain from March 1-3. did.
