Formula 1, red hot: the scandal at Red Bull alters plans for Max Verstappen’s future

Not even the screenwriters of Drive to survivethe series of sensations Formula 1 which is in its sixth year on Netflix, were encouraged to get this far. The season of the greatest circus in world motorsport has just begun, but few are interested in what happens on the asphalt. And even more after that Max VerstappenThe three-time champion of the category will dominate at will the Bahrain Grand Prixthe first event of the year.

This is the move of Lewis Hamilton TO Ferrari starting from 2025 it has become the first chapter of the novel that will be the frenetic market of next year. But the great soap opera is what happens to Red Bull. While their cars prolong their supremacy, the scandal involving them erupts Christian Horner Not only is it far from finished, it threatens its continuity Mad Max in the team.

Better to go in parts.

Horner, the Red Bull boss, was reported for “inappropriate behavior” by an employee of the team. The energy drinks company that manages the team has rejected the accusation against the leader, who is remarried to the former Spice Girl. Geri Halliwell.

The problem, however, only began because the next day, during the first free practice sessions of the Bahrain GP, ​​a file allegedly containing evidence against him – including alleged exchanges of WhatsApp messages – was sent via email to around 200 people in the paddock of Formula 1, including Liberty Media, the FIA, the directors of the other nine teams and numerous media.

Red Bull, through its lawyers, was instructed to carry out damage control and warned all recipients that any publication or dissemination of the contents of the emails would be exposed to legal consequences “causing a situation of total and irreparable helplessness for the honour. “of Mr Christian Horner”.

Although it was not possible to verify the authenticity of the leak, spread by a generic report, and no one dared to publish its seemingly innocuous content, attention was once again focused on Horner. These alleged negligence not only affect Red Bull’s image, but also raise questions among its major partners, such as Oracle and Ford, and its sponsors.

But mistrust doesn’t just affect brands and entrepreneurs. The English media ensures the marriage with the former Spice Girls they entered the seismic zone -However, he was seen holding hands when he entered Sakhir on Saturday.

But the worst thing was the warning from Jos Verstappen, who will turn 52 on Monday. Max’s father doesn’t mince words and claims Red Bull will “explode” if Horner stays in charge. “There is tension as long as he remains in his position,” the original Verstappen told the British newspaper. Daily email.

“The team risks disbanding. It can’t continue like this. It will explode. He (Horner) plays the victim, when he is the cause of the problems,” is the literal quote from Jos, a former driver in the category and in charge of supervising the affairs of his highly successful son. Ultimatum?

For now Horner seems to have the full support of the owner, Chalerm Yoovidhyawith whom he was also seen joking in Bahrain after the sensational 1-2 obtained thanks to Verstappen and Sergio Perez.

If Horner continues, what could be the fate of Mad Max? “If I were Toto Wolff, I would immediately focus on Max, given how difficult they are at Red Bull,” he was heard repeating several times on the paddock of the Sakhir circuit.

When Wolff was asked about this ahead of Bahrain, he replied: “I think the driver will always choose the fastest car. That’s basically it. At the moment, Red Bull is the fastest car, so obviously this will be their priority.”

And he added: “I am in no hurry to make a decision on the drivers. This time I will take it calmly and evaluate the market.” Is it feasible for Verstappen to occupy the place that the Briton will leave free at Mercedes? ? It would clearly be a shock to counter the seven-time world champion’s departure to Ferrari.

However, it would be madness for the Dutchman to leave the Austrian team, which in 2025 will continue to have a favorable wind with the regulatory changes and could have the chance to win the fifth consecutive title – first he must win this year’s, obviously -, something only Michael Schumacher managed to achieve.

Changes at Alpine

Alpine, the French team behind automotive giant Renault, has started the season disastrously. Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly qualified 19th and 20th in Bahrain and finished the race 17th and 18th. And in the last few hours it was made official that the team’s technical director, Matt Harman, and aerodynamics chief Dirk de Beer had submitted their resignations this weekend.

There will be three new Alpine brains. Joe Burnell will be the technical director of engineering, David Wheater will become the technical director of aerodynamics and Ciaron Pilbeam will be the technical director of performance. The trio will report to team manager Bruno Famin. Will the rudder stroke reach? Apparently the motto will be to focus everything on next season. We’ll have to see what the pilots think.