The controversy has overshadowed with build-up to the opening round of pre-season testing in Bahrain, with the FIA urging a swift conclusion to the affair. The former manager of Max Verstappen’s dad Jos however, Frans Verschuur, does not believe that Horner leaving Red Bull is a formality.
The ex-GT4 driver also cast doubt on the validity of the news around the scandal, which was first broken by Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. “As long as the FIA doesn’t interfere and it isn’t bad for the sport, it is an internal matter at Red Bull,” he told the F1 Aan Tafel podcast.
“If the FIA doesn’t think he should be suspended, I don’t think it’s so bad.” He then accused the media outlet of being prone to ‘fantasising’, and implied that a power struggle within Red Bull was driving the problems.
“I think what may be the case is that there has been a battle between Thailand and Austria since (Dietrich) Mateschitz died,” he added. The Austrian died in October 2022, aged 78, having co-founded Red Bull GmbH some 28 years previously with Chaleo Yoovidhya.
“The (Thai) co-owner with a 51 percent will pull the strings a little more and is more on Horner’s side, but Marko is more on the Austrian side. It’s a bit of a split – they can’t all go through the same door. But as long as he (Horner) hasn’t killed anyone.
“Even if Horner has to leave, it means nothing for Max. Everyone is ultimately replaceable.”
Verstappen and Horner have undoubtedly built up a close relationship as the 26-year-old continues to dominate the sport. His 2023 title success signified a third F1 crown in a row, while the team also sealed back-to-back Contractors’ titles.
However, Verschuur believes that even if the English chief does depart F1, it won’t diminish Verstappen’s current on-track supremacy.
Horner himself has strenuously denied all allegations. And he arrived with his team in the Middle East insisting it was ‘business as usual’ as all teams begin the build-up to the opening race weekend of the 2024 campaign, which is back in Bahrain from March 1-3.
