Christian Horner mounts charm offensive to counter Red Bull power struggle

A defiant Christian Horner restated his innocence against claims of inappropriate behaviour made against him and pledged to lead out the Red Bull team at the first race of the Formula One season in Bahrain in a fortnight.

In a public appearance at the launch of the 2024 car in Milton Keynes, the Red Bull team principal brushed aside the furore that has raged about him for the past 10 days. Though obviously drained by a turn of events that took him and the F1 world by surprise, Horner displayed an impressive determination to stay in his post.

He said he was overwhelmed by the support he has received since the claims of controlling as well as inappropriate behaviour made by a female member of staff emerged ten days ago, and reiterated his commitment to a team he has led from its inception 19 years ago.

“I feel the support within the business, within our partners, within the industry,” Horner said. “It is overwhelming.

“There’s a process that’s ongoing at the moment. Some allegations have been made, which I fully deny, and I have fully complied with that process, and will continue to do so until it’s resolved.

“There’s been a day job to be getting on with, which is very much focused on gearing up for the season ahead of us.”

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Though Horner remains optimistic about his prospects, the political landscape slanted against him at Red Bull HQ in Salzburg suggests he faces a battle to retain control.

Whatever the scale of inner turmoil he is experiencing, Horner showed the resolve of a prizefighter in conducting his duties with the world looking on.

“It was great to see the 20th edition of our Red Bull car unveiled today,” he said. “Of course the process has been going on in the background.

“In the position of Red Bull, it has been business as normal. Of course the allegations are a process that Red Bull are running through externally.

“But you know, there’s a job to do. I denied fully the accusations and my role obviously continues.”

Horner was not the only one presenting a neutral face. World champion Max Verstappen appeared unperturbed by events, claiming he had not felt any disruption and that his relations with Horner, despite some claims to the contrary, had not been affected.

“We’ve seen each other quite a few times,” he said. “I’ve been on the simulator.

“He was also there when we were filming. We’ve achieved a lot of things together so that doesn’t change suddenly. My contact with Christian has been the same as on the first day.

“Of course when I first joined, I was a rookie, quite young, and so our relationship… I’m getting more and more mature. But it’s been like normal.”

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Verstappen betrayed no sense of the agitating against Horner alleged of his father Jos. Horner, too, was keen to present a united front.

“Look, I think moments of uncertainty bring us together and I’ve never seen a team more together and supporting than this,” he said.

“Everybody’s focused on one thing, which is the performance of that car to go out and defend both the world titles that we’ve worked so hard to achieve over the last couple of years.”

Should any be in doubt of his conviction and his determination, Horner invited the audience to reflect on what Red Bull have achieved under his leadership. And, perhaps, what they stand to lose should he depart.

“I’ve been here since the beginning. I’ve built this team,” he said. “There’s been highs and lows along the way.

“We have won 113 races. Won seven drivers’ world championships. We’ve won six constructors’ world championships in 19 seasons. That’s in the history books.

“But it’s [about] what lies ahead, because that’s what’s important. So my focus is on the future. For me it is business as normal, if it wasn’t I wouldn’t be here.”

Verstappen reacts to Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari

All hail Max Verstappen, at least one F1 grandee is happy to talk about Lewis Hamilton’s arresting move to Ferrari.

Whilst Hamilton and Ferrari were silenced by compromised loyalties during their respective launches at Silverstone and Maranello this week, the three-time world champion was reassuringly candid about the biggest transfer in Formula One history during Red Bull’s own grand unveiling.

“I think it must have been leaked because to announce something that big that early in the season, I think, for sure, for the rest of the year, I would say it’s a little bit awkward,” Verstappen said. “Even though you have had a lot of success together, you can’t be included in everything anymore.

“But him going to Ferrari is not really shocking. It’s not a surprise they were talking. I think it was just a bit rushed, the announcement.

“For sure he has a great relationship with everyone, especially Toto [Wolff], but he knows at one point, and Toto will tell him, ‘Look, I know we’ve had all this success, but you can’t be part of certain meetings anymore’.

“That is normal in F1. It’s probably a bit weird. But you are professional enough to deal with that.”

Such is Verstappen’s command of the F1 space, he has little to fear from Hamilton in red, or silver for that matter. Indeed you sense he would welcome the challenge of Hamilton restored to a winning car this season or next, when the seven-time champion takes up his post at Maranello.

Asked if he is excited to go up against Hamilton at Ferrari, Verstappen replied: “If the car’s quick enough, yeah.”

And how does he expect the dynamic to play out at Mercedes now the decision is made?

“At the end of the day I think you’re professional enough to deal with it. It’s not like they are suddenly enemies. He has achieved so many great things with them.

“They are still behind him. It’s just you know at one point you can’t share certain stuff. But once he’s sitting in the car they will of course go flat out for him.”