The 2024 sex scandal broke out the team, the lack of competitiveness and the tense relationships with Max did the rest: but now what will the four -time world champion do?
Christian Horner is no longer the Red Bull Team Principal. In its place the Austrian team, which dominated the World Cup with Max Verstappen between 2021 and 2024, decided to promote Laurent Mekies from Racing Bulls, in turn replaced by Alan Permane. A real earthquake. Sensational and, by its nature, sudden. In this case, it must be said, however announced by noisy preparatory shocks that had started from afar. But let’s go in order.
Behind the choice Red Bull
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Why did the Red Bull Board decided to sewn the Team Principal after 12 GPs who between 2005 and 2025 made eight drivers and six manufacturers win at the stable? Is it sufficient to believe that it is the concrete prospect of not being able to defend the title since, in the middle of the exact season, Max Verstappen is currently third in the ranking at 69 points from the top? Obviously not. Not only that, at least. The reasons are more than one. In a nutshell: the lack of competitiveness, the internal climate increasingly deteriorated with worrying exits of key staff, the consequent lack of guarantees and technical certainties for the immediate future. To the point that, not random, the tip of Diamante Verstappen is increasingly chatted for a possible departure. Will this dismissal of Horner stop Max’s farewell plans? Or is it a confirmation?
in Verstappen I don’t mind
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Certainly this farewell does not mind the world champion and his clan, who openly lined up against the Team Principal in early 2024, when he burst out the internal scandal for Horner’s “inappropriate behavior” against an employee. The investigation and internal investigations ended with the victory of the Team Principal, which did not lack the presentation of the new single -seater, was then extended by the accusations and remained in his place. This did not prevent Red Bull and Verstappen from winning the fourth consecutive title, even if the Father of the Dutchman, Jos, prophetic, in those days, did not send them to say: “If Horner will remain in his place, the team will explode”. In hindsight, he was not wrong. That scandal was certainly destabilizing, created internal factions and this climate engraved on the entire organization.
Escape from Red Bull
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Many technicians, who already made a throat to the rival teams, started looking around. The Red Bull, who had already lost an important figure like Rob Marshall, who went to McLaren before the scandal, saw important calibers on 2024 such as the iconic designer Adrian Newey (Aston Martin), the long Corso Jonathan Wheatley (Sauber, therefore Audi), the head of the strategy Will Couteny (McLaren) start. The reshuffle of the staff who followed, with the creation of new working groups, did not solve the problems. On the contrary. In recent weeks, there has been no day that technicians of the aerodynamic department, fluidododynamics (CFD) rather than chains have not submitted the notice, which in England is a month, to take advantage of the next summer break and then belan elsewhere. Evidently discontented in Red Bull (you rumored to promised promotions and do not arrive) or simply eager to accept new offers in teams where the economic conditions are more attractive. An example among many: the new Team Cadillac who will debut in 2026 is taking on the rhythm of 60 people per month and Red Bull men are among the most sought after. There are job opportunities. And then, as mentioned, there is the unknown competitiveness. As known, in 2026 the Red Bull will produce its power units at home, in partnership with Ford: some internal organ solutions would still be far from the definition. In addition, the entire project is slowing down for the staff exits to which it has been mentioned. The DT Pierre Waé is likely to find themselves with work groups, especially those operating on change and suspensions, to be reconstituted upon return from the summer break. And take a valid technician takes time. The picture of a team that is crumbling. But to cut a 14 World Cup Team Principal, evidently, very strong reasons were needed.
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