(Milton Keynes) Red Bull, reigning Formula 1 world champion among manufacturers, unveiled its car for the 2024 season on Thursday amid speculation about the future of its boss Christian Horner, targeted by an internal investigation.
Present in the team’s workshops in Milton Keynes (England) to unveil the RB20 that the reigning three-time world champion Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez will drive, Christian Horner, accused internally of “inappropriate behavior” according to the press, appeared in a dark jacket and sweater in front of a few hundred guests present to launch the 20e season of the Austrian firm in F1.
The 50-year-old leader, from whom a first public statement on the subject was expected on Thursday, did not make any comments, nor to the journalists present on site.
Asked what the current state of mind was in the team, Horner simply responded to the international press – who had been asked not to ask questions relating to the investigation: “there is inevitably had a diversion in the team which remains very united, everyone is focused on the season to come.
“Business continues. It is obvious that there is an investigation to which I comply and to which I fully collaborate. But all this happens in the background,” he also said.
Since February 5, the main core of the team has been in turmoil following media revelations claiming that they are the target of an internal investigation – information confirmed by Red Bull in a press release, which did not provided more information at this stage regarding the alleged facts.
According to the press, the Briton is accused internally of “inappropriate behavior” towards an employee, “allegations” which the person concerned “totally rejects”, cited by the Dutch daily De Telegraaf. He was interviewed last Friday by a “specialist lawyer outside” Red Bull, but no decision regarding his future with the team has been announced at this stage.
On a purely sporting level, the new single-seater unveiled on Thursday, which largely uses the colors of its predecessor, presents “improvements in all areas, mechanics, aerodynamics…”, explained chief engineer Adrian Newey.
Enough to keep the competition at bay? “With stable regulations (since 2022, Editor’s note), there will logically be a convergence” towards the top of the hierarchy, predicts Horner. “We can see that cars have been influenced by the RB19 (Red Bull’s 2023 single-seater), we expect other teams to converge.”
Last year, Red Bull crushed the competition by winning 21 of 22 Grands Prix.