F1 Rumor: Christian Horner Plans to Seize Full Control of Red Bull Empire With Drinks & Racing; Position ‘Strengthened’ by the Stakeholders

Christian Horner and Red Bull have been the top headlines of the news recently and not for good reason. Unlike last year, when Red Bull was in the news for their utter dominance and team spirit, 2024 has all been about the cracks between the Red Bull family. And it all started after Christian Horner was investigated for inappropriate behavior towards an employee. But that hasn’t impacted Horner’s position the slightest, who now eyes to take control of both Red Bull’s beverage division and the motorsports. Let’s dive into it.

Red Bull has been in shambles ever since the investigation started on Horner. A crack in the relationship with Helmut Marko and rumors of Max Verstappen and Adrian Newey leaving have shaken the pillars of the racing team. But Horner doesn’t seem fazed by these changes. The Red Bull Team Principal might just revolutionize the whole team if what the reports suggest is true.

According to reports, Christian Horner’s position within Red Bull hasn’t weakened even a bit but is believed to be stronger than ever. Horner’s meeting with the Thai owners in Dubai seemed to have gone well as there are reports suggesting that the Red Bull Racing TP is ready to take full control of the racing team as well as the energy drinks company.

The report by AMuS journalist Michael Schmidt stated, “The Thai majority shareholder Chalerm Yoovidhya is fully behind the plans of team boss Horner, who allegedly wants to take complete power in both the beverage company and the motorsport empire. That support could only be shaken if a civil court finds that Horner behaved inappropriately toward an employee.” (Translated via Google)

Despite the turmoil within the team, Thai owners continue to support Christian Horner and his vision for the company. However, this wouldn’t have been the case if Dietrich Mateschitz was still alive. Let’s see how.

Christian Horner would’ve been sacked if Dietrich Mateschitz was still around

Joe Saward suggested that there is a conflict between the Red Bull Thai owners and the Austrian group. Mark Mateschitz, the son of Dietrich Mateschitz, wants Horner to be gone, but the Thai owners are in support of him staying. The Thai management is higher in the level of hierarchy hence their decision will prevail. But a result of this is the fact that Red Bull isn’t a unified entity now.

Bild explained how Mateschitz wasn’t a friend of Christian Horner but he let him run things his way because of Helmut Marko’s good word and the success of the team. Bild reports, “Horner wanted Dr. Get rid of Helmut Marko (80). The man who built the Formula 1 team with Mateschitz. The man who had saved Horner from expulsion several times. Mateschitz wasn’t a friend of his team boss, but he let him have his way because of his successes – and a good word from Marko.”

The more relevant part at this moment is, as read by Bild, “All insiders agree on one thing: If he were still there today, Horner would have been fired by now – but his death immediately shifted the balance of power.”

Read More: Christian Horner Declared Safe by Red Bull After 100+ Page Investigation Concludes

What do you make of these rumors of Christian Horner taking over the Red Bull empire? Is this a smart move by the Thai owners when F1 and other teams are still asking for more transparency in the investigation?