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Verstappen proves Horner wrong: Max is indeed bigger than the team
There's turmoil at Red Bull Racing, but looking at Max Verstappen, it seems like nothing is wrong. He's won his ninth Grand Prix in a row during the most troubled period of his career. How does Verstappen stay so calm in the eye of the storm?
Those who thought that the unrest within Red Bull Racing would be over after the Bahrain Grand Prix were sorely mistaken. It actually increased after the Bahrain GP with Jos Verstappen's statements. The Dutchman thought it would be better for everyone if Christian Horner stepped down to create peace within the team. A remarkable statement just after peace seemed to have been signed.
On Friday, Jos Verstappen clashed with Christian Horner after qualifying in Bahrain. That day, British media revealed that Jos could well be the leak, something also suspected within Red Bull Racing. Jos strongly denied being the leak, and peace seemed to be signed between the two after the race.
The storm immediately flared up again after Jos Verstappen's statements following the GP. The fact that Jos had a meeting with Toto Wolff also fuelled the rumour mill. During media day, it was, therefore, mainly about the unrest at Red Bull Racing: certainly at the Red Bull drivers' session, but also at Mercedes'.
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Why things got restless again at Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen did what he has been doing for a few weeks: staying calm and not throwing people in front of the bus. Verstappen clearly chooses not to defend Christian Horner to the media, but unlike his father, he does not attack him either. Jos Verstappen and Helmut Marko do get Max's full support.
On the same day, news leaked that the woman who accused Horner was suspended by the race team. She was allegedly not honest, and (allegedly again) false evidence was involved. Not only would the capital letters indicate that, but also times and dates of the evidence is said to have been manipulated. The woman still has the chance to appeal, but as far as is known, she has not yet done so.
It was time for the team bosses' press conference with Christian Horner on Thursday. He wanted to draw a line under it. There was an allegation, it was thoroughly investigated, and then Horner was cleared. He finds it too bizarre for words that so much attention is still being given to it and accuses the other camp of leaking sensitive information when he is the only one mentioned by name.
Horner is right on the latter, but the victimisation is not entirely justified. He talks about his wife and children having to endure all this, but he himself has been the one who seemingly had an affair with a staff member. As team boss and CEO of such a big brand, it is logical that you will come under a magnifying glass and, above all, have to look yourself in the mirror.
Will Marko be suspended by Red Bull?
A day later, the bomb explodes again. Right before qualifying, Helmut Marko says that he might also be suspended, allegedly for being the one who leaked information about Horner. Horner says he knows nothing and hides behind the fact that Marko does not work for Red Bull Racing. Red Bull Racing themselves also know nothing about it.
So things are still not calm. A day later, a crisis meeting follows. Marko comes out of it positively and states that he will be going to Melbourne. Horner refuses to speak positively about Marko in the press moment after the Grand Prix. The Briton, media-trained that he is, very factually names what Marko's role is within the team, but he didn't say how important Marko has been for Red Bull Racing, even when that question is asked so directly.
It is yet another sign that things are rumbling behind the scenes. Backed by the Thai shareholder, Horner reportedly wants to take control of the race team. That he is thereby kicking Red Bull Austria in the shins creates a snowball effect: Marko is angry, and, as a result, so is Max Verstappen.
His statements about Verstappen show how far Horner seems willing to go. Yes, he would like to keep Verstappen, but "no single individual is bigger than the team." Horner also stresses that Verstappen has won all his podiums, victories and titles in a Red Bull Racing car. "If a driver doesn't want to be somewhere, then they'll go somewhere else," he said.
Verstappen is loyal. Anyone who thinks he is bluffing when he says he will leave if Marko is shown the exit door is wrong. Talking to Max after qualifying says it all. Titles, wins, and podiums don't matter to Verstappen. It's about the people. If you touch 'his people', you touch Max. You then risk losing him.
Why Verstappen could leave for Mercedes
Verstappen says it straight. It makes for a proud Helmut Marko, who stresses that few people are so loyal. Meanwhile, people at Mercedes are rubbing their hands together. Perhaps it's the only place Verstappen could go if he no longer wants to drive for Red Bull Racing in 2025. Toto Wolff realises that the performance of the current Mercedes car is not very attractive, so he is suddenly throwing all his charms into the mix.
Wolff and the Verstappens have been good for years. Jos and Max chose Red Bull because Helmut Marko offered him a seat at Toro Rosso, but the Dutch have not forgotten that Wolff also had the door open. Wolff has always kept in touch over the years and, outside 2021, has always been very complimentary of Max.
The fact that the Verstappens are seriously considering those options was again clear from Jos Verstappen's words. He preferred not to say anything more about it prior to his rally in Belgium, yet Jos reiterated that he would prefer Horner to leave as team boss. The talks with Toto had indeed taken place, but just as friends and not business-wise
Although Horner, Marko and Verstappen almost fraternally stated that they want to look forward again and that calm should return to the team, everyone knows that calm will not return any time soon. More talks will follow in the coming week. The outcome of those talks will determine the future of Red Bull Racing, Helmut Marko and Max Verstappen.
Red Bull Racing is on fire, and even that is an understatement. Playing a starring role, Verstappen shines by stoically continuing to do what he has been doing for years: dominating and beating his F1 rivals comfortably. In between, he even has time to play a few games of sim racing on Twitch. It is not for nothing that Toto Wolff says everyone in the paddock would do a handstand to bring Verstappen into the team. Meanwhile, Horner seems to think otherwise, and that may say more about him than Max.