The Christian Horner saga will reportedly ‘enter its next stage’ after the Chinese Grand Prix with the female employee at the centre of the drama set to give her evidence after exercising her right to appeal the findings of the investigation into the Red Bull boss.
According to a report from the Daily Mail, a King’s Counsel will hear the appeal case, although Horner’s entourage continues to suggest that the employee was dismissed due to her ‘dishonesty’.
However, the report also states that it remains unlikely that the team principal will be removed from his post, given the unwavering support that he receives from the Thai majority shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya. However, the existence of a power struggle with the Austrian division of the company is legitimate.
After two races, the questions surrounding Horner’s future looked to be tearing the team apart and star driver Max Verstappen even threatened to quit the team after close ally Helmut Marko was placed under investigation in Saudi Arabia. However, over the coming races, the tensions have calmed down in the public eye.
Still, the saga continues to be a distraction for the reigning champions. Speaking to Kleine Zeitung about the mood in the Red Bull camp, Marko said: “Basically, it’s about bringing calm to the team. And that is urgently needed.
“As we saw in Australia, Ferrari is on hand if we don’t deliver. Other factors also played a role, but the goal has to be the fourth World Championship title in a row. Everything else has to be subordinated to that.”
The Austrian advisor was then asked about the rumoured ‘power struggle’ within the team. He responded: “That’s politics, which I’m not involved in at the moment. It’s all about winning the next World Championship title.”
For now, though the focus is on maintaining an excellent title defence. The Milton Keynes-based team have secured one-two finishes in three of the opening four races of the campaign ahead of the Chinese GP, although Verstappen’s DNF in Melbourne means that his championship lead stands at just 13 points.
The Dutchman is going in search of a historic fifth consecutive pole position to start the season in Shanghai on Saturday, although the jeopardy produced by having just one free practice session before Parc Ferme could throw the cat amongst the pigeons.
