Not Just Christian Horner, Red Bull May Lose Another Key to F1 Success Over Contract Clause

Red Bull suffered a huge jolt after a complaint was lodged against its Formula One team principal Christian Horner over “inappropriate behaviour”. Horner, 50, is the longest serving team boss in the history of Formula One and has won six F1 constructor titles with Red Bull.

The F1 team has started investigations into the incident, with a hearing scheduled on Friday. Horner, who will retain his post while the investigation is being done, has denied the allegations.

There is still no clarity over Horner’s future. Red Bull Racing could very well have to lose a key member if Horner ends up being sacked by the Formula One Team.

Formula One journalist Joe Saward recently pointed out a contract clause that suggests that Red Bull’s chief technical officer Adrian Newey’s future is dependent on Christian Horner’s fate in the team. Newey has been associated with the Austrian racing team since 2006. Horner played a key role in bringing Newey to Red Bull.

“It has long been believed that Christian Horner and Adrian Newey have contracts that protect one another. If one leaves the other can as well. This has never been confirmed – but it makes for an interesting dynamic if something was to happen to Horner,” read Joe Saward’s post on X (formerly Twitter).

A Reuters report claimed that Christian Horner will have to face a company hearing on Friday. The report cited sources indicating that the hearing would happen at the team’s Milton Keynes factory in UK.

Red Bull Austria had said that they were looking into the complaint levelled against Christian Horner. “This (investigation) process, which is already under way, is being carried out by an external specialist barrister. The company takes these matters extremely seriously and the investigation will be completed as soon as practically possible. It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time,” a statement said.

Christian Horner has been the team principal at Red Bull since the racing team was bought from Jaguar in 2004. At 31, Horner was the youngest Formula One team principal when he was appointed in 2005. He is about to enter his 20th season with Red Bull.

Red Bull and Christian Horner had a remarkable season last time as their Dutch racer Max Verstappen clinched his third title in a row. Red Bull ended up winning 21 of 22 races during the last campaign. With Horner in charge, Red Bull have enjoyed a tremendous run having earned six constructors’ championships and seven drivers’ titles.