During Red Bull’s investigation into their team principal’s behavior, Bernie Ecclestone allegedly spoke with Christian Horner over the phone.
According to reports, Christian Horner has been receiving advice from Bernie Ecclestone while the Red Bull CEO’s actions are being looked into. Due to claims of improper behavior, Horner was questioned on Friday by a private attorney.
The investigation into the 50-year-old’sbehavioris still ongoing, despite the hearing on Friday. It is unclear whether Horner will stay in Formula One after the allegedly eight-hour session ended without a resolution.
Although the details of the complaint are unclear, Horner has refuted the accusations made to the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. Red Bull has not confirmed the BBC’s report that they are related to “inappropriate and controlling behavior.”
The investigation has garnered interest outside the confines of Red Bull’s Milton Keynes headquarters. It is alleged that Ecclestone, the former CEO of the Formula One Group, has been speaking with Horner on the phone.
The 93-year-old, a close confidant of the Red Bull team principal, has reportedly spoken with Horner multiple times and intervened in an advisory capacity, according to Motorsport-Total. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has also done so.
Horner was observed riding in the back of a black vehicle to his hearing. The hearing was rescheduled from the team’s F1 headquarters to London in order to minimize the amount of media coverage.
Red Bull has stated that they will refrain from commenting until the entire investigation is finished. Therefore, it’s still unclear if Horner will take the team into the 2024 Formula One season.
There are still doubts about Horner leading the presentation, even though the team will unveil their RB20 car on Thursday. The new car is supposedly an improvement over their wildly successful RB19, which Max Verstappen raced to a record-breaking victory in the World Championship.
Red Bull says that they are considering the claims “very seriously” and that they understand that people are looking for a quick resolution. It’s unclear, though, if the investigation will carry over into the upcoming season.
Practice and qualifying sessions are held in the days before the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 2, which marks the start of the 2024 campaign. If Red Bull decides they do not want the investigation to go further into the season, they have three weeks to wrap it up.
Since taking over the team in their first Formula One season in 2005, Horner has been essential to Red Bull’s success. Red Bull has led the last two Constructors’ Championships, while Verstappen has won the last three Drivers’ Championships.
Leave a Reply