Christian Horner opens up on all of the allegations put on him in the coercive behaviour matter plus situation with Max and Jos Verstappen.
After all the trials and judgements, Red Bull’s Horner for the first time faced the media in the official FIA press conference in Saudi Arabian GP. Almost all of the questions were directed towards him ranging from topics of happenings around him.
The biggest talking point was his reputation along with his family and Red Bull as a F1 team after the employee laid charges against him. Even though it has been cleared, but the image has been put into question, even with the leaks of the supposed chats.
Red Bull has seemingly suspended the employee as of now, but the matter could stretch on if the complainant wants to press on. Horner, meanwhile, is trying to show brave face in the media as much and trying to keep harmony among all.
The current situation has worsened after the comments made by Jos, where he noted about Red Bull being torn apart due to the presence of Horner. It even indicated of Max leaving the team if the situation continues on which resulted in more speculation.
Horner tried to address both the matter of Jos and Max, and his relations with them. While the case seems closed, but the matter is likely to continue to stretch especially in this social media age. The internal fight between Red Bull is still not over as much.
Amid this Horner situation, Red Bull faced fresh scrutiny involving Helmut Marko and potential suspension, which was put down by the Brit. He added about his role in the F1 team and is unsure how such rumours pop up.
Here’s the full Q&A –
Christian, you’ll obviously be aware of Jos’ comments on race day in Bahrain, describing the tensions in the team. It’s on the brink of exploding if you remain in charge. Where’s the end game here? He inferenced that it’s either you have to go or he’ll pull Max out of the team.
Horner: “Look, I’m obviously aware of the comments that were made. There was a discussion subsequent to the race, and I think everybody’s focus is very much on the future. The team’s focus is very much on defending both of these world titles that we’ve fought so hard to achieve. Max has three successive world titles to build on that. the 55 victories that he’s achieved, the 114 victories that as a team we’ve achieved and now sit tied with Williams on the amount of Grand Prix victories. So our focus is very much on the future. And as I say, discussions took place following the race in Bahrain and we’re all looking forward.”
Christian. Another one for you. Could you talk a bit more about those discussions? Like, do you feel the air has been cleared between the two sides in this?
Horner: “No, I think, you know, I’m not going to air all the discussions, you know, the private between the parties, but you know, discussions have been inevitably had and the team is focused on the challenges that are ahead of us and the team is very focused on the season ahead and whilst we’ve had a very dominant race in Bahrain, we don’t expect that to be the case in future races. So we’re acutely aware of our competitors and you don’t achieve the kind of results that we’ve had by not being a united team to win the race by the margin that we did to achieve a one-two finish, the fastest lap, the pole position. You know, you need to be working in total harmony to achieve those kind of races.”
You’ve confirmed that you would absolutely be here as team principal in Bahrain, but can you confirm the same about Max, that he will see out his Red Bull contract?
Horner: “I’m certain that he will. I mean, he’s got a great team around him. He’s got great faith in that team. And, you know, we’ve achieved an awful lot together. So, you know, he’s committed to an agreement until 2028. And, yeah, you know, from a team side, from Max’s side, we’re determined to build on the success that we’ve achieved already and those 55 victories have all come in Red Bull cars. All of the podiums have come in Red Bull Racing cars and we’re determined to build on that and add hopefully many more in the future.”
Sorry, again for Christian. About Max’s father, Lewis made some comments yesterday about it as well. Do you think [Jos Verrstappen] is too involved in all this and it’s maybe a distraction for everyone?
Horner: “Obviously, Max’s father has played a key role in his career and getting him to Formula 1. But obviously, Jos is his own man. Max is his own man as well. And we’ve seen him go from being a teenager when he joined us to now, very much a young man. that’s achieved what he has. So it’s not for me to comment on relationships between fathers and drivers. They’re all unique between the different individuals.”
Another one for Christian. Do you have any regrets about the potential reputational damage that has emerged from this episode for the team, for yourself and sponsors?
Horner: “Well, obviously, there’s been an awful lot of coverage surrounding this, but one has to go back to the basis of this. A grievance was raised, it was fully investigated, and it was dismissed. And from there, we move onwards. And I think an awful lot has been made out of this. Obviously, it has been obviously of great interest in different elements of the media for different reasons. And I think the time now is to look forward and to draw a line under it. We’re here to go racing. We’re here as a Formula 1 team. And the time now is to focus on what is going on on track and the performance of the cars and the drivers and where the spotlight should be during the course of a Grand Prix weekend.”
Another one for you. The reports today that the complainant has been suspended by Red Bull Racing. Are you able to explain the decision or comment any further on that matter?
Horner: “Look, I’m afraid that I can’t comment on anything that’s confidential between an employee in the company, so I can’t offer you anything on that, I’m afraid.”
Another one for Christian. Obviously, you can’t comment on the situation about the employee suspension. Is there a plan to bring some transparency to this in the future? And do you kind of recognize why it’s necessary to do something? Because obviously, to the watching world, particularly the female population watching, it doesn’t really fit in with the attempts that F1 and Red Bull have made to show that it’s a positive place for women to be. You can understand why it hits a nerve there. So is there anything that you can commit to down the line that will actually make what’s happened clearer and regain that confidence?
Horner: “I think it’s a complicated issue because each company – and these companies will be exactly the same as with any other major company. There is a grievance process that takes place in any company and that process is confidential between the individuals and the company itself. I’m not at liberty, unfortunately, due to those confidentiality [concerns] and out of respect to the company and, of course, the other party, that we’re all bound by the same restrictions. And so even if I would like to talk about it, I can’t because of those confidentiality restrictions. There’s a reason for that. Now, the only reason that this has gained so much attention, obviously, is because of the leakage and the tension that there’s been drawn in the media, which has been very trying in many respects, and particularly for my family, because it’s all been focused very much in one direction. And of course, what has happened then after that, others have looked to take advantage of it. And whether that be for… Unfortunately, Formula 1 is a competitive business, and there’s been, obviously, elements have looked to benefit from it, and that’s perhaps the not-so-pretty side of our industry. So, of course, there are always lessons, but there’s a process that is governed within the company that it’s not an FIA issue, it’s not a Formula 1 issue, it’s a company employee issue, and that would be the same in any major organisation.”
Another question for you, Christian. You touched on this a bit earlier. Do you think there is a campaign against you? And if so, who do you think is behind?
Horner: “Look, we’ve been tremendously successful. We’ve done a lot of winning and we’re very united as a team and that’s what we’re focused on for the future. There’s been obviously an awful lot of coverage around this situation, but I think the time really is now to move on, to focus on what’s going on on the track. And, you know, we’ve got a busy and competitive season ahead of us. And that’s what we’re certainly focused on.”
Christian, just going back to Jos, have you spoken directly to him since he made those comments? And do you think that that relationship between the two of you can be can be repaired?
Horner: “I spoke to Jos following the Grand Prix and obviously congratulated him on his son’s performance. And I think it’s in everybody’s interests collectively that we’ve agreed to move on, to focus on the future. And we both have a vested interest in his son to get the best and to provide the best cars for him and to get the best out of him. And he’s started the season in the best possible way. He’s an outstanding talent and hopefully we can continue to provide him a very competitive car.”
Apologies to the other three gentlemen that are here. Sorry, Christian. Christian, you were asked earlier about the reputational damage to Red Bull. On a personal level, are you concerned about the damage that might have been done to your reputation over these past three weeks, regardless of the independent investigator’s adjudication? And conversely, do you have any sympathy for the woman involved and what this whole saga might have done to her reputation as well?
Horner: “Well, look, it’s obviously been a very trying period. I’m married and have three children. And when that intrusion includes your children and the scrutiny is placed on my marriage… I’m very fortunate that I have a beautiful family and a very supportive wife. And, you know, I’m the only one that has been named in this. So, of course, it’s very trying. It’s very challenging, because when there’s children involved, when there’s families, parents, etcetera, involved, it’s not pretty. And the reality is that there was a grievance that was raised. It was dealt with in the most professional manner by the group, not by Red Bull Racing, but by the owners of Red Bull Racing, Red Bull GmbH, that appointed an independent KC that is one of the most reputable KCs in the land. He took time to investigate fully, all of the facts. He interviewed all of the people involved, together with others of interest. He looked at everything. He had all of the facts. And he came to a conclusion where he dismissed the grievance. As far as I’m concerned, as far as Red Bull is concerned, we move on and we look to the future. And you know, my wife has been phenomenally supportive throughout this, as have my family. But the intrusion on my family is now enough and we need to move forward and to focus on what we’re here for. And I’m sorry for these three gentlemen that they’re not here talking about their cars and drivers today. But it is time now to focus on why we’re here which is to go Formula 1 racing.”
Christian, you said it’s time to move on, but why do you think it has taken people so long to move on from this, including the media, including the public?
Horner: “There’s been a constant source of… You know, there’s been one thing after another. And I think that, you know, as I say, there’s been an awful lot of leakage around this, what is a private and confidential matter between the employees and the company. It’s unfortunately through that, through that leakage it has garnered an awful lot of coverage. And as I say, it’s now time to focus on the track and what we’re here to do which is to go racing. And you know we’re a race team. We’ve got some phenomenal partners that have been hugely supportive through this. The team, the company, the 1,600 people that work within the group, I have to thank them as well for their support. And, yeah, you know, it’s time to move on. We see today Formula 1 Academy coming alive with the support of the teams. We have three drivers, three cars across the Red Bull Group in that. We’ve announced new partners that we welcome to the sport. And I think that now is the point of focus that we’re here for a Grand Prix and we should be talking about the cars and the drivers.”
Situation around Marko –
Horner: “We are focused on winning and that’s what we do well and that’s what we have done today. That’s how we started the season, and obviously I am aware of all the noise but it hasn’t distracted the team from the job. We are one team. Obviously there’s speculation about Helmut now. Helmut doesn’t work for me. He doesn’t work for Red Bull Racing, he works for Red Bull GmbH, but I think you can see that there’s a very clear route that is looking forward and wanting to continue this incredible winning streak that we’ve been on.”
Rumours of Marko’s ouster –
Horner: “I think the rumour about suspension was as news to the team as it was to anybody else. We were quite surprised to hear that. Helmut is a contractor to Red Bull GmbH, so it was an issue between them. We weren’t party or part of that discussion. I’ve known Helmut since 1996, and he’s played an important role over the years. That role has evolved over the years. I’ve known him a very, very long time. Coming up to 81 years of age, he’s still obviously motivated about Formula 1, which is a positive thing.”
Relation with Marko, decision-making process –
Horner: “My relationship with Helmut is no issue. I think that he’s always outspoken, but that’s Helmut. There has been no decision-making process around Helmut, so I am not quite sure where the rumour has permeated from. But it is not something I’ve been involved in.”
Role of Marko –
Horner: “Everybody has a role to play no matter what that role is. I think this team has been incredibly successful, and it has had tremendous ability for a long period of time. That has been one of the keys to our success.”
Here’s F1 drivers on the off-track chatter
Here’s Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, George Russell on Jos and Mercedes matter
Here’s FIA on recent allegations
Here’s link to a F1 Discord channel, join in to interact
