Photo by: Oscar Herrera
The 2024 Formula 1 season has shaped to become one of the most exciting seasons for fans in recent years.
While most of the fan base expected Red Bull to dominate after a record-breaking 2023 season, the team is falling apart, rather than thriving.
The reason for Red Bull’s downfall can be credited to a number of technical factors. However, karma for the parent company, Red Bull GmbH, prioritizing team principal Christian Horner and protecting him from sexual harassment allegations, seems more fitting.
How Did It Start
In February, reports surfaced of a former female Red Bull employee filing a complaint against team principal Horner, to the parent company. Here, she accused him of engaging in “inappropriate, controlling behavior.”
The parent company dropped its investigation against Horner and formally cleared him of any wrongdoing on Feb. 28.
Only 24 hours after Horner was cleared by Red Bull, an anonymous source sent a WhatsApp message to over 150 prominent members of the F1 community. This included media outlets and F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali.
Other F1 team principals and FiA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, also received the message including a Google Drive with 79 documents, many of which were sexually suggestive in nature, according to CNN. The media outlets have not been able to verify the authenticity of these messages.
Following the leak, former F1 driver and Max Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen, told the Daily Mail Horner should be removed as team principal so the team does not suffer because of him.
“There is tension here while he remains in position,” Verstappen told the Daily Mail. “The team is in danger of being torn apart. It can’t go on the way it is. It will explode. He is playing the victim, when he is the one causing the problems.”
In March, Red Bull suspended the female employee who filed a complaint against Horner, with full pay.
Red Bull’s Mass Exodus
One by one, Red Bull’s longest-tenured employees announced their departure from the team.
Perhaps the biggest kick to Red Bull is chief technology officer Adrian Newey’s departure. After 20 years with the team, Newey announced he would be leaving in 2025.
With over 40 years of career experience in F1, Newey is regarded as a design legend. He has won 13 driver’s championships and 12 constructor’s championships across three teams. His exit is certainly a setback for the team and comes at a time of mass.
Soon after Newey announced his departure, team manager and lately acting sporting director, Jonathan Wheatley also announced his exit from the team. Wheatley is a huge part of Red Bull’s success and leaves the team after 18 years.
Wheatley is responsible for refining pit stops and knowing the ins and outs of technical and regulatory rules, making him an important part of the team’s success.
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