The choice between Max Verstappen and Christian Horner ultimately proved to be an easy one for Red Bull’s Thai (51%) and Austrian (49%) major shareholders. The potential departure of the Dutch star driver and four-time world champion to Mercedes, still not ruled out, could have catastrophic consequences for the future of the racing team.
Parent company Red Bull GmbH is taking a significant gamble with the dismissal of the team boss and CEO of Red Bull Racing, a company with over a thousand employees. Naturally, it hopes to keep Max Verstappen on board with this measure, to accommodate him and his influential father Jos, and not to succumb to the advances of Mercedes. Over the past few years, Verstappen senior has repeatedly stated that Horner has been a hindrance to the racing team. This conclusion has now apparently also been drawn by the decision-makers. The question is whether it is not too late.
Nightmare Scenario
Aside from the strained relationship that Horner maintained with Jos Verstappen and advisor Helmut Marko, there was also the background issue of an affair with a former employee of the racing team, who accused the Brit of sexual misconduct. The Thai major shareholder protected Horner despite this accusation and the ensuing (commercial) commotion, but realizes that the success of Red Bull’s primary global marketing tool depends more on Verstappen staying than the CEO who has been unable to halt the sporting decline. A secondary role in Formula 1 is a nightmare for the bosses.
There has been resistance against Horner within the racing team for some time. The departure of several key figures (Rob Marshall to McLaren, Adrian Newey to Aston Martin, and Jonathan Wheatley to Stake F1) in recent years was a writing on the wall. After twenty years, his shelf life seemed to have expired. However, with diplomacy, verbal firepower, and the unconditional support of the Thai major shareholder, Horner maintained a firm grip on his dual role, for which he had a contract until 2030.
Horner to Alpine?
The Brit will undoubtedly have received a hefty severance package. He may invest part of this in Alpine, which owner Renault may potentially put up for sale in the future. He is rumored to have hatched plans for this with CEO Flavio Briatore. According to sources in the paddock, Horner, just like in the past with Arden in the feeder series, would like to have his own racing team of which he is (co-)boss and does not have to answer to shareholders. However, there is a hefty price tag attached to this.
Although Horner’s time at Red Bull is over, he himself is far from finished with Formula 1.
