Horner has had a rough start to the 2024 season at Red Bull.
Red Bull has responded to speculation that Christian Horner is going to be fired ahead of the Australian Grand Prix later this month. The long-serving team principal is still under criticism, after being exonerated of wrongdoing following an examination into complaints of unethical behaviour.
Porsche had hoped to enter the competition alongside its sibling company Audi, which has acquired Sauber and will make its Formula One debut in 2026. Rather than participate as its team or as a title sponsor like Audi, Porsche planned to join Red Bull as an engine partner.
Talks between Porsche and the Milton Keynes-based company were already advanced, with the move seeming quite likely by summer 2022. The late Red Bull co-owner, Dietrich Mateschitz, was said to be quite supportive of the move.
Max Verstappen told Sky Sports in 2022 that he believes it is very interesting and crucial for Formula One. Of course, we have amazing staff, but having very great brands behind us is very nice. I’m looking forward to what the future holds.”
Horner, the team’s principal, was one of the biggest barriers to the agreement. According to the BBC, the Red Bull CEO was concerned about the amount of power he would lose if the partnership resulted in the German brand being a 50% shareholder.
The contract fell through in September 2022, with Red Bull agreeing a similar engine arrangement with Ford for the following season, 2026.
Horner has subsequently become a source of widespread controversy, with claims of inappropriate behaviour levied against the Red Bull team manager at the start of this season.
After an independent inquiry commissioned by the team exonerated him of any wrongdoing, what appeared to be WhatsApp conversations sent by Horner to a female colleague were leaked to the press and F1 personnel, fueling the saga. Horner has consistently refuted all claims against him.
