Max Verstappen's Red Bull 1-2 flagship home in Bahrain was a fleeting moment of normalcy for a team that had been in turmoil.
After a turbulent past few weeks that saw Red Bull and Christian Horner's every move watched in disgust by the world, the team picked up where they left off in 2023 with a commanding 1-2 in Bahrain. Achieved the finish.
Email leak changes Red Bull investigation landscape
There was a fleeting moment of respite for Horner during the boring Bahrain Grand Prix. The Red Bull boss was able to put aside the off-track noise for a while and concentrate on the car turning. It was a familiar, warm, comfortable space. A blanket of environment in which Horner thrives.
Earlier at the weekend, after a lengthy internal investigation into the allegations surrounding him had led to his dismissal from Red Bull, the situation turned out to be quite the opposite.
It was a moment of utter humiliation, despite the alleged email evidence being sent to hundreds of F1 officials, and there is no confirmation of its authenticity – yet Horner was undaunted by it. Ta.
Other than a short personal statement saying they would not comment on anonymous speculation from unknown sources, Horner and Red Bull put their heads down and went about their weekend's work, and just like they did on the 22nd, they got it done. 23 races last season.
However, there was a distinct sense of anxiety across the paddock throughout the weekend, with genuine paranoia evident. After all, the email leak changed the complexion of the past few weeks. The unknown party was clearly unhappy that Horner had resorted to dirtier tactics when it became clear that the charges were not disclosed.
It's been a while since a truly sordid 'Piranha Club' moment occurred in F1, but the weekend in Bahrain turned a seemingly simple corporate personnel internal investigation moment into a character assassination attempt.
Ultimately, with Red Bull GmbH's investigation completed on a professional level, the matter is personal and the public has no right to know what Horner did or did not do. After vetting and approval from his employer, it will be up to those involved in Horner's personal life, although his wife, Geri Horner, remains by his side.
The former Spice Girl has a very resolute demeanor and rose above the pressure with a public show of support, walking hand-in-hand with Horner through the Bahrain paddock before the race and receiving hospitality from Red Bull. . Every moment of her smile was studied by “body language experts.”
But despite the continued support of his employer Red Bull and his family, the question marks being raised around F1 are legitimate, but how can they be addressed? It's difficult to understand.
In an increasingly progressive sport where inclusion and diversity are key messages across the paddock, there have been calls for greater transparency over the GmbH's findings and the investigative report that exonerated Horner.
After all, the FIA's rules and sporting codes contain extensive caveats that allow for investigations into issues that bring F1 into disrepute.
Given the nature of Mr Horner's investigation, which was kept tightly controlled internally by Red Bull before it was approved, the FIA and F1 should have the right to request confidential internal information from the parent company of a racing team. Or?
Especially when an obvious leak within the organization and someone with an ax to grind makes questionable information about the circumstances behind the investigation public.
It is also important to remember that when trying to establish transparency, there are larger privacy issues at stake, not just for Mr. Horner or the complaining party.
As anyone who has gone through the human resources process knows, a comprehensive internal investigation involves statements and depositions from the team and others, including company employees, contractors, and outside agencies. , many of which should be provided under confidentiality clauses. How can we provide transparency without harming these people?
Jos Verstappen admits tensions within Red Bull Racing
Before the Grand Prix began, Horner proudly stood at the front of the grid and received a clear message of support from the company's major Thai shareholder Chalam Yuvidya as they posed for a photo together – Horner has been seen both publicly and privately. The lives that have survived this process remain intact.
But even though the company's processes are complete, someone somewhere won't let the situation blow.
Rumors abound of tension within Red Bull Racing's team leadership, but it took until hours after the checkered flag for that tension to be confirmed – and it was courtesy of Max's father, Jos Verstappen. It was due to
“There's a sense of tension here, but [Horner] I have maintained my position,” Verstappen senior told MailSport. “The team is on the verge of collapse.
“We can't keep going like this. It's going to explode. He's playing the victim when he's the one causing the problem.”
The Daily Mail also revealed that the senior Verstappen got into an argument with Horner after Friday night's qualifying, and in the same report, Horner claimed that Max's father was behind the campaign to remove him from the squad. It suggests that you believe. Dutch publication “De Limburger”.
However, Verstappen denied this and said: Why would I do that when Max is doing so well here? ”
That's the most pertinent question in this whole sorry mess. “Why?” Both in terms of timing and apparent attack…why? A complaining party took Horner's case to Red Bull Human Resources, but the matter was dealt with and the investigation was closed.
An escalation of this nature suggests that the coup attempt has failed, and whoever is behind the coup is not happy that it was successful. To be sure, Red Bull will not take this issue quietly, and PlanetF1.com understands that an internal investigation is underway to identify the culprits behind the inflammatory emails.
It is also understood that rank-and-file employees at Red Bull Racing have rallied around Horner, despite Verstappen's claims and suggestions that the team could be separated due to the ongoing situation.
However, Verstappen's comments reveal some disharmony. While Jos has come forward and openly called for Horner to be sacked, it is notable that Max has also not expressed his unwavering public support for the team boss.
Apart from Max calling Horner an “incredible team boss” and focusing on the performance-related aspects of their relationship, the three-time world champion insists on his usual opinion. Trusting the process, not yourself.
How will Red Bull deal with internal divisions?
This is where things get very difficult for Red Bull – what to do with the fall of the talismanic driver's father, who was himself a prominent figure and who called for the removal of the team boss, who was very important and important to Red Bull. Raft to deal with. Red Bull's success in F1.
It is public statements like that of Verstappen, rather than Horner, that can destroy a strong team spirit, especially if the trust between team principal and driver is damaged as a result. Unless Max disagrees with his father's comments, how can Red Bull accept this situation and continue to recognize the senior Verstappen as a welcome guest of the team?
If the situation continues to deteriorate as it did over the weekend in Bahrain, it would be no surprise if the situation reaches the point of an ultimatum. Red Bull will be in a situation where they will have to choose who is more important to the team's success. Horner or Verstappen? GmbH's acquittal of Horner may bring the situation into closer focus.
Indeed, despite Max's long-term contract with Red Bull, the time has come for rival teams to start picking at the loose threads more. So it was no surprise that Wolff and Verstappen senior were seen having a conversation in the paddock late on Saturday night.
“I've known Jos for 25 years and we've had our ups and downs, but we just celebrated our son's achievements. Max drives his own galaxy,” Wolff later told F1-Insider.com. Ta.
Wolff also stirred the pot a bit when asked if there was a chance Verstappen would be at Mercedes in 2025, grinning: “Anything is possible.”
Despite Red Bull drawing the line on this issue, this situation is not going away any time soon. It is understood that F1 and the FIA have no interest in keeping Horner and Red Bull under any further scrutiny, and the F1 team is doing well, but will the parties behind the coup attempt try again?
As for Horner, he appeared physically weakened and aged when he spoke to the media at the Red Bull launch in Milton Keynes two weeks ago, and on Saturday night he suffered a beating. I left the paddock, but I was still standing at its end. .
Despite everything, Red Bull took the overwhelming 1-2 victory that everyone expected, giving them an even bigger advantage than in the same race last year. It is this success that could make humans untouchable, and perhaps that is the concern behind why others are seeking further elucidation.
Despite suffering in his private life and undergoing public humiliation, he quietly and carefully left the paddock hours after the race, both in the sport that made him one of the greatest athletes in history.
The paddock was almost deserted, save for the roar of forklift trucks loading cargo, and Christian and Geri walked hand in hand to the car waiting outside the demolished turnstiles.
Couples were chatting and smiling together, undisturbed by their companions, no handlers or photographers interfering with the walk, just me and a few departing FIA staff observing.
As they approached the car, Horner opened the door for his wife and she got in, the smile still on her face.
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