Red Bull release statement on Christian Horner sack rumours ahead of Australian GP | F1 | Sport

Red Bull have spoken out on claims that Christian Horner is set to be dismissed ahead of the Australian Grand Prix later this month. The long-serving team principal remains under fire despite being cleared of wrongdoing after an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

The female Red Bull employee who raised the complaint has now been suspended by the drinks company. Horner, who strenuously denies wrongdoing, was present in the 2024 season opener in Bahrain and once again performed his team principal duties in Saudi Arabia this weekend.

Issues persist behind the scenes, however, as Jos Verstappen, father of Red Bull’s star driver Max, has publicly called for Horner to step down. Throughout the saga, Horner is believed to have retained the support of Red Bull’s majority owner, Chalerm Yoodivhya.

But a report from F1-Insider published on Sunday claimed that the Thai billionaire is beginning to change his tune and, along with fellow prominent Red Bull figures Mark Mateschitz and Oliver Mintzlaff, is minded to dismiss Horner before the Australian Grand Prix on March 24.

A Red Bull spokesperson has since played down those bombshell claims, saying: « As Christian has said, he is grateful for the full support of the shareholders and that remains the case. »

The first two races of the 2024 season have been a case of dominance on the track and turbulence off it for Red Bull. Verstappen comfortably cruised to victory in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia amid a backdrop of uncertainty at the reigning constructors’ champions.

Chaos behind the scenes is not reflected in the standings, with Verstappen already 15 points ahead in the race for his fourth consecutive Drivers’ Championship. His Red Bull team-mate, Sergio Perez, is in second.

The pair finished one and two in Bahrain before repeating the feat in Jeddah, with the RB20 head and shoulders above the rest of the field in terms of pace and performance.