08 February 2024 , 11:12
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Under-fire Red Bull Racing chief Christian Horner reportedly has a "badly damaged" relationship with the Verstappen family.
According to German outlet Motorsport-Total, the alleged rift between Horner and Jos Verstappen, father of triple world champion driver Max, predates the investigation into the team principal. The 50-year-old has been accused by a colleague of inappropriate behaviour.
Horner has strongly denied any wrongdoing. He is set to meet on Friday with the independent investigator appointed by the Austria-based Red Bull parent company to give his version of events.
The investigation takes place amid speculation from various outlets of a possible power struggle behind the scenes. Horner has led the race team since it was bought by the energy drinks giant ahead of the 2005 F1 season, but the allegations have left him fighting for his future.
After hearing Horner's case on Friday, the investigator will make his recommendation to the Red Bull parent company about its next steps. It may be that the evidence is considered over the weekend before a decision early next week.
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In any case, Red Bull would prefer to have the matter resolved before its F1 season launch event on Thursday, February 15. Horner remains in his post and continues to work in the meantime.
Red Bull Racing staff have largely been left in the dark about the whole process. The parent company has taken charge of the investigation and press enquiries on this subject have been directed to Red Bull GmbH rather than the F1 team.
The whole situation is a dark cloud over the team's preparations for the new campaign. Red Bull are preparing for another title defence after putting together one of the most dominant seasons in F1 history last year, winning all but one of the 22 races held.
It was the sixth constructors' championship success and the seventh drivers' title secured by the team since it first began racing in F1. Sebastian Vettel won the first four between 2010 and 2013 while the most recent three have come courtesy of Verstappen. Horner has been in charge throughout the team's time on the grid.
After next week's launch event, the team will head to Bahrain for three days of pre-season testing, beginning on Wednesday, February 21. The season officially begins on March 2 with a Saturday night Bahrain Grand Prix.