Horner Now Aims for Red Bull Parent Company's Helm
Mar.21 - Christian Horner has set his sights on becoming the CEO of the energy drink company CEO.
As Horner's personal scandal and obvious power struggle at Red Bull Racing speeds ahead, it has become increasingly clear that there's more at stake than just F1.
Bild, the biggest German newspaper, explains that Horner has become very close to Red Bull's 51 percent shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya - especially since the Austrian side of the company lost veto power following Dietrich Mateschitz's late 2022 death.
"Horner initially wanted shares in Red Bull Racing," claimed correspondents Helmut Uhl and Michel Milewski. "He failed, but he did secure the marketing rights of the sister team AlphaTauri."
Bild claims Horner then set his sights on becoming the CEO of the parent company GmbH, a position now jointly held by three figures in the Austrian faction in the wake of Mateschitz's death.
The Horner scandal then became public in the early days of 2024, leading to the present situation and rumours it could even end up costing Red Bull the services of Max Verstappen.
"I'm not really concerned about it," said the triple world champion when asked by The Project program in Australia on Wednesday. "I have a contract in 2028, which I think says enough."
However, Bild claims that top designer Adrian Newey appears to already be in "well advanced" talks with Ferrari about a bombshell team switch.
Horner reportedly thinks Alex Albon could fill Verstappen's boots at Red Bull, with the added bonus that he is from Thailand like fellow powerbroker Yoovidhya.
When asked on Wednesday if Verstappen has spoken to him about a potential switch to Mercedes, meanwhile, top Red Bull consultant Dr Helmut Marko answered: "That's internal information.
"You can't seriously expect an answer from me," he told Osterreich newspaper.
It has emerged that Horner did not know that a 'Marko clause' was retrospectively added to Verstappen's new contract in 2022, allowing him to escape the deal if Marko is ousted or leaves.
When asked if he will be at all 24 grands prix this season in Red Bull uniform, 80-year-old Marko responded: "I'm booked, but that doesn't mean much yet."
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Could explain a lot if it’s true.
Ralf and Joss peddling the CH discrediting hardly gives the claims credibility. I would have thought the Austrians could have done better.
Seems CH may already have Alpha Touri marketing rights. Anyone know?
Ask Johnny Herbert he seems to know that MV is going to Mercedes or even Ralpf shu he seems to know what's going on.. LOL. SMH TUT TUT TUTTING.
Ralf needs to find something else to do. He was a mediocre driver with a famous name in f1. His opinions are irrelevant just like his blood brother Jos.
Horner initially wanted shares in Red Bull Racing," claimed correspondents Helmut Uhl and Michel Milewski. "He failed, but he did secure the marketing rights of the sister team AlphaTauri."
Unless its lazy journos, how olds this statement? and unless we are all wrong, is this the 1st time weve seen that in print?
So maybe its all *ollocks like so much cheap type about this
Perhaps it will hinge on what Newey wants. He's the only one in the team who is truly indispensable and both sides should know that.
Who knows but AN will be 68yr in 26 , yes for the normal hard working average paid people 68yr isnt a lot but hes a Multimillionaire , i think hell pack it in in 26
You could turn that around though. The job is likely much more than a job to him. 68 is young these days and a lifestyle like his won't have worn his body out.
The way he was prepared to innovate on this years model is pretty impressive.
80 is the new 60 for some and putting Ferrari back on top would be a huge satisfaction.
Ferrari also are into performance yachts, so is AN.
I'm expecting Dr. Frankenstein to show in jack-boots and jodhpur's with a 9mm Luger strapped neatly to his Sammy Brown. After all, he is a member of the OTHER Master Race. He'd look so dapper in black, with his high-peaked Totenkopf hat at a jaunty angle, smacking his riding-crop against his thigh, as he strut's down the Paddock. Why on earth would the Maxter hitch his wagon to Marko's horse is way beyond me.
In the meantime, should Horner become the Master of Time, Space and Dimension at Red Bull HQ - I can only imagine the changes that would come down the pike. Jettisoning Frankenstein would be my first act. If Max left with him, I can think of several hard-charging drivers that would be willing to replace him. Change is good.
Alltime Classic.
But could you give a heads up if there's anymore coming.
My wife got to the bit about the thighs & whip and came overall unnecessary.
I needed a quick decision on whether I should succumb to her womanly wiles, or go to the "Can't talk now , gotta go to Moe's excuse."
I can actually see Horny as the Rb Boss, hes (at the moment, well thought of/well supported by majority shareholder), so why not , I mean Jean Todt to President of Fia, so anythings possible, esp when he tires of being Rb f1 boss, afterall hes sofar hes been at the helm of all 7 f1 championships (not including his other 3 championships)
No one indispensable, everybody can be replaced, even AN will have to be replaced at some point. CH has done a remarkable job at rbeing To at RB. Time will tell how long they can continue dominating. Fun watching it now! Tomorrow is tomorrow!
Also , it was Marko who recruited Horny, yes AN is one of the probable 10 designers, so they learn off him , he retires , way of the world
Horner and Ricciardo are beginning to smell. Daniel and his nutsack comments are not funny or professional. Put him out to pasture. He has the big smile, lights on but no one is home look.
Let's see what Max V and Pierre G can do.
These stories get wilder by the minute, from your innermost thoughts to the outer limits.
From somewhere else
Christian Horner seems to be locked in the saddle at Red Bull Racing. Perhaps even more so than thought. Auto, Motor und Sport reports that news on Thursday morning
However, Oliver Mintzlaff and Franz Watzlawick - the bosses of Red Bull Austria - reportedly have even bigger concerns on their minds than seeing Verstappen leave Red Bull Racing. Rumours are circulating that Yoovidhya would like to move the entire Red Bull GmbH, currently based in Salzburg, to Dubai.
To be continued no doubt... In any case, the Austrian and Thai ranks seem to be on an absolute collision course with each other.
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