I never anticipated Lewis Hamilton making the switch to Ferrari, and certainly not Christian Horner making headlines shortly afterwards for alleged misconduct against a Red Bull colleague. In Horner’s case, he’s under investigation for misconduct toward a female employee. The complaint cites instances of inappropriate and controlling behaviour, prompting an internal investigation at Red Bull HQ. Red Bull’s serious stance on the matter implies that Horner has nowhere to hide and may need to seek alternative paths. However, it’s essential to note that Horner has denied the allegations.
Christian Horner has been an integral figure at Red Bull Racing since its inception in 2005, assuming the role of team principal. Under his leadership, the team has achieved remarkable success, securing seven driver’s championships and six constructor championships. The pinnacle of their achievements came in the record-breaking 2023 season, where they dominated the competition by clinching victory in 21 out of 22 races.
It appears that F1 journalists closely associated with the teams, as well as many within the F1 industry, have been privy to the allegations against Horner for some months now. Intriguingly, these claims of misconduct are only surfacing just before the launch of Red Bull’s 2024-spec race car, scheduled for February 15th.
It’s equally intriguing that Red Bull has scheduled a hearing on the matter for this Friday. The timing seems coordinated, reminiscent of a classic pincer movement aimed at applying pressure on Horner. If I am correct, it might indicate that Horner has garnered some high-level detractors within Red Bull who are eager to see him removed from his position.
It’s crucial to uphold the presumption of innocence for Horner until proven otherwise, as trial and speculation by the media often veer away from the right side of history. However, amidst this, there are claims that Red Bull has evidence to back up the misconduct claims. Multiple sources within the F1 community suggest that Horner has been advised by senior management to step down from his position immediately. Although it is difficult to verify these numerous claims.
One speculation I will offer is that the ongoing investigation and meeting, overseen by an external barrister, may indeed serve as an exit negotiation, wherein both parties are collaboratively defining the terms of departure and severance package. This “agreement” is anticipated to be finalized and confirmed on Friday.
Regardless of the speculation circulating, it’s important to recognize that it remains speculative in nature, and we lack concrete knowledge of the actual events. Even though we regularly pan Red Bull and Christian Horner, in this case, it’s prudent to withhold further speculation and await the outcome rather than engage in further conjecture for the sake of clickbait.
