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PIT + PADDOCK Horner all smiles with Liberty CEO Maffei and FIA president Ben Sulayem F1 urges Red Bull to sort out its Horner FORMULA 1 Formula 1 has made clear that it wants Red Bull to complete an investigation into allegations against team boss Christian Horner as soon as possible so that the uncertainty surrounding his position and any fallout does not hang over the opening stages of the 2024 season. Horner is the subject of a probe launched by the wider Red Bull GmbH firm after unspecified accusations were made by a female employee. He has denied any wrongdoing and recently faced lengthy questioning from an independent barrister appointed by the energy drinks company. Despite the intense speculation over his future, Horner remained front and centre for the team’s launch of its RB20 challenger last Thursday in Milton Keynes (see p38). But F1 has since issued a statement asking for a timely conclusion as the curtainraising Bahrain Grand Prix rolls into view. “We have noted that Red Bull has instigated an independent investigation into internal allegations at Red Bull Racing,” read the statement from Formula One Management. “We hope that the matter will be clarified at the earliest opportunity, after a fair and thorough process and we will not comment further at this time.” While F1 hopes that the situation is resolved quickly, it has no formal authority to force the matter, nor get involved in any action on the team or Horner should it be deemed necessary. That falls under the remit of the FIA, which could choose to intervene if there is evidence of any Nothing’s changed, says Verstappen POOL CONTENT BULL / RED CORNELIUS ILL W wrongdoing that goes against standards it upholds. Soon after, the governing body noted: “In relation to the independent investigation currently being undertaken by Red Bull GmbH, the FIA reiterates that until such time as the investigation has concluded and the outcome is known, we will not be commenting further. The FIA remains committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, fairness and inclusivity within the sport.” Similarly, Red Bull 2026 engine partner Ford, via its global head of performance motorsport Mark Rushbrook, told the Associated Press: “As a family company, and a company that holds itself to very high standards of behaviour and integrity, we do expect the same from our partners. It appears to us, and what we’ve been told, was that Red Bull is taking the situation very seriously. And of course, they’re worried about their brand, as well.” At the factory launch, Red Bull did attempt to steer the media away from questioning any of its leading figures on the Horner situation amid fresh reports in the Dutch press. But Horner did briefly touch on the investigation, commenting: “Inevitably there has been a distraction, but the team are very together.” Reigning three-time world champion Max Verstappen reckoned his relationship with Horner had not changed amid rumours of factions appearing in the team. “It’s the 4 AUTOSPORT.COM 22 FEBRUARY 2024
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PIT + PADDOCK SUTTON investigation same as always – I can tell you that,” he said. “I mean, I don’t know who likes to write these kinds of things.” Team-mate Sergio Perez implied that he hopes Horner keeps his job, saying: “We want the whole team to stay together because we’ve been so successful. It will be ideal just to keep the whole thing together and just focus on racing… We know that Christian is a key player in our organisation.” Verstappen was at least given free rein when it came to assessing the news that Lewis Hamilton will leave Mercedes to join Ferrari for 2025. Despite their toxic 2021 grudge match for the title, Verstappen seemed to genuinely appreciate the move. After not ruling out a future Ferrari move of his own – “never say never” – he added: “At the end of the day, if someone wants to drive a Ferrari and especially someone like Lewis, having achieved so much, if that’s his dream and goal, and again, we don’t know the talks that they had right at Mercedes, at Ferrari, what has been promised, what they think is coming… so you can’t give an honest assessment from our side why you make that decision. But if he’s happy with that move, then he should go, I think it will look cool. And of course, I hope for them that it’s going to be success. But you don’t know at the moment.” MATT KEW & JONATHAN NOBLE P13 OPINION NO RETURNS FOR ROSBERG OR VET TEL FORMULA 1 Spectacular comebacks for Formula 1 champions Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel have been all but ruled out. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said that he can be “bold” when replacing Ferraribound Lewis Hamilton for 2025, and many have taken this to mean a swift promotion for F2 rookie and Merc protege Andrea Kimi Antonelli. But should the Italian not excel with Prema Racing, Mercedes might consider a stopgap. Vettel or Rosberg have been seen as plausible placeholders. But it looks as though both Germans Rosberg showboats a er 2016 crown IMAGES DUNBAR/MOTORSPORT are out of the frame. Speaking to German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung, Rosberg, inactive since the end of 2016, said: “I’m not planning a comeback. I would have to prepare intensively for a whole year, if only to train the synapses in my brain. A racing driver has to react super-fast at top speed and be precise. I’ve lost that after the long break. The muscles are also put under so much strain, just to hold the steering wheel with all the centrifugal forces.” Wolff remains in contact with Vettel. But speaking to Auto Motor und Sport, the Austrian noted: “He made the decision to not race anymore. We are talking on a regular basis. We’ve also talked yesterday, but it wasn’t about driving for us in the future.” JONATHAN NOBLE & CHRISTIAN NIMMERVOLL Monchaux will report to Tombazis IMAGES MOTORSPORT Ex-Alfa boss gets Goss FIA gig FORMULA 1 The FIA has recruited Jan Monchaux as its new single-seater technical director. The ex-Alfa Romeo Formula 1 team tech boss will report to the governing body’s established single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis, and effectively steps into the role held until the end of last year by recent RB (formerly AlphaTauri) signing Tim Goss. French-born Monchaux, whose CV includes stints at the Toyota, Ferrari and Sauber squads, will play a key role in formulating the new 2026 F1 rules. His appointment follows the FIA’s loss of several senior figures over the winter, including Goss and sporting director Steve Nielsen. The turnover prompted some alarm from F1 figures. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said: “It’s concerning to see so many good people leaving. Losing Steve Nielsen is a big blow… As a leader, it’s about the culture and environment you create for people to thrive. When people as competent as these leave an organisation, there is a vacuum. That’s clear. And you’ve got to ask yourself: why is it suddenly that so many people have decided to call it a day? What [the FIA] needs is stability.” JONATHAN NOBLE 22 FEBRUARY 2024 AUTOSPORT.COM 5

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PIT + PADDOCK

Horner all smiles with Liberty CEO Maffei and FIA president Ben Sulayem

F1 urges Red Bull to sort out its Horner

FORMULA 1 Formula 1 has made clear that it wants Red Bull to complete an investigation into allegations against team boss Christian Horner as soon as possible so that the uncertainty surrounding his position and any fallout does not hang over the opening stages of the 2024 season.

Horner is the subject of a probe launched by the wider Red Bull GmbH firm after unspecified accusations were made by a female employee. He has denied any wrongdoing and recently faced lengthy questioning from an independent barrister appointed by the energy drinks company. Despite the intense speculation over his future, Horner remained front and centre for the team’s launch of its RB20 challenger last Thursday in Milton Keynes (see p38). But F1 has since issued a statement asking for a timely conclusion as the curtainraising Bahrain Grand Prix rolls into view.

“We have noted that Red Bull has instigated an independent investigation into internal allegations at Red Bull Racing,” read the statement from Formula One Management. “We hope that the matter will be clarified at the earliest opportunity, after a fair and thorough process and we will not comment further at this time.”

While F1 hopes that the situation is resolved quickly, it has no formal authority to force the matter, nor get involved in any action on the team or Horner should it be deemed necessary. That falls under the remit of the FIA, which could choose to intervene if there is evidence of any

Nothing’s changed, says Verstappen

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/ RED

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wrongdoing that goes against standards it upholds. Soon after, the governing body noted: “In relation to the independent investigation currently being undertaken by Red Bull GmbH, the FIA reiterates that until such time as the investigation has concluded and the outcome is known, we will not be commenting further. The FIA remains committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, fairness and inclusivity within the sport.”

Similarly, Red Bull 2026 engine partner Ford, via its global head of performance motorsport Mark Rushbrook, told the Associated Press: “As a family company, and a company that holds itself to very high standards of behaviour and integrity, we do expect the same from our partners. It appears to us, and what we’ve been told, was that Red Bull is taking the situation very seriously. And of course, they’re worried about their brand, as well.”

At the factory launch, Red Bull did attempt to steer the media away from questioning any of its leading figures on the Horner situation amid fresh reports in the Dutch press. But Horner did briefly touch on the investigation, commenting: “Inevitably there has been a distraction, but the team are very together.” Reigning three-time world champion Max Verstappen reckoned his relationship with Horner had not changed amid rumours of factions appearing in the team. “It’s the

4 AUTOSPORT.COM 22 FEBRUARY 2024

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