In the wake of internal conflicts and controversy, Red Bull has, for the moment, managed to hold onto the support of Ford, its future engine supplier for Formula 1 from 2026, despite the unfolding drama around team principal Christian Horner.
Dr. Helmut Marko, serving as Red Bull’s Formula 1 advisor and seen as an opposition figure to Horner, revealed that concerns have been voiced by both Ford and Honda regarding the scandal’s complex and ongoing nature. Nevertheless, discussions at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix have seemingly brought a level of peace to the situation.
“Things have started to become much clearer,” said Marko, 80, in a conversation with De Telegraaf. On the possibility of maintaining his professional relationship with Horner, Marko shared, “We’ve been doing it for 19 years already, so why not? However, there are still some issues that need to be resolved.”
Ford’s commitment to Red Bull’s motorsport endeavors remains evident, as demonstrated by its sponsorship of the Red Bull-endorsed F1 Academy team project, an innovative all-female racing series designed to support Formula 1.
Yet, Mercedes chief and well-known Red Bull adversary Toto Wolff suggests that the controversy surrounding Horner is far from concluded. “We’re witnessing a lot of drama from the outside,” Wolff commented to the Osterreich newspaper. “For a team as prominent as Red Bull, such a situation is far from ideal.”
Wolff criticized Red Bull’s management of the crisis, highlighting the challenges posed by the “very transparent world” we live in. “Avoiding full disclosure only fuels further intrigue, prompting more questions, stories, and speculation,” he observed. Wolff pointed out the critical issue at the heart of the scandal, questioning, “Why did a woman who felt uncomfortable go to HR? Why hasn’t anything been said about this yet?”
He also touched on the apparent confusion surrounding Red Bull’s strategy for sharing information. “There’s also an information strategy that looks a bit confusing from the outside,” said Wolff. “Generally, I think the Austrians are professional while in England they try to keep everything small, but that’s no longer possible these days.”
GMM
