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‘Max Verstappen victorious again but Red Bull power struggle continues and questions remain’
Max Verstappen cruised to the latest in a long line of composed and imperious victories at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Saturday. Behind the scenes at Red Bull, though, things are anything but serene.
Verstappen’s run of wins looks to have no obvious end – this was the ninth in a row, dating back to last year’s Japanese Grand Prix, and his 29th out of the past 34 races since mid-2022.
But it took place against the backdrop of the continuing controversy following allegations of inappropriate behaviour made against team principal Christian Horner by a female employee, which the 50-year-old denies.
The latest development is evidence of a power struggle at Red Bull – some have said it’s between Horner and their motorsport adviser Helmut Marko; and others say it’s between the Thai majority shareholders and Austrian minority shareholders – into which Verstappen and his father Jos have now been drawn.
For 24 hours this weekend, Marko was in danger of being suspended by Red Bull. In the end, it seems to have taken an intervention from Verstappen to keep him in his position.
This revelation about Marko came a day after the female employee who reported Horner’s behaviour to Red Bull’s human resources department was herself suspended.
Red Bull has always been a secretive organisation that tightly controlled the flow of information to the outside world. That applies to the parent company Red Bull GmbH in Fuchsl Am See in Austria as much as it does to the Red Bull Racing F1 team.
Giving an insight into what happens inside the two companies is anathema.
As this off-track drama played out this weekend, some F1 insiders claimed that Horner, having won the backing of the Thai owner Chalerm Yoovidhya, was trying to dispense with all his rivals, to secure not only his own survival within Red Bull, but his position as the unchallenged authority in the team, and perhaps beyond.
Horner said: “The rumours about suspension were news to the team as to anybody else. We were quite surprised to hear that.
“Helmut is a contractor to Red Bull GmbH so it was an issue between them and we weren’t part of that discussion. I have known Helmut since 1996 and he has played an important role over the years. Coming up to 81 years of age, he is still motivated about F1, which is a positive thing.”
And he insisted: “My relationship with Helmut is no issue. He is always outspoken but that’s Helmut. I am not quite sure where the rumours permeated from. It is not something I have been involved in.”
Verstappen’s key intervention
Whoever was challenging Marko’s position, it is a high-risk game, for Verstappen is close to the former F1 driver.
After qualifying, Verstappen was asked what he thought about the threats to Marko.
A week before, he had been asked whether Horner had his full support as Red Bull team principal. Verstappen’s carefully worded answer used equivocal language.
In contrast, he left no one in any doubt about his feelings regarding Marko.
“It’s very important that he stays within the team,” Verstappen said. “If such an important pillar falls away, that’s not good for my situation as well. So, for me, Helmut has to stay, for sure.”
In other words, get rid of Marko, and Verstappen could walk, too, notwithstanding his contract, which lasts until 2028.
Mercedes, who have a vacant seat next year following Lewis Hamilton’s decision to move to Ferrari in 2025, are waiting with open arms.
As Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff put it: “This is a decision Max needs to take and there is no team up and down the grid who wouldn’t do handstands to have him in the car.”
Again, Horner played down any sense of conflict.
“It is absolutely fine with Max,” he said. “He’s working well within the team. There is no tension, no stress. You can see how relaxed he is around the garage with everybody in the team. That’s translating to his performance on track as well. So we don’t see any issues with Max.”
After the race, Verstappen was asked again about Marko and his own position within Red Bull. He said: “I always said that what is most important is that we work together as a team and that everyone keeps the peace. And that’s what we, I think, all agree on within the team. So hopefully from now on, that is also fully the case.
“Everyone is trying to focus in the same direction. And the positive out of all this is that it didn’t hurt our performances.”
Horner controversy won’t die
This is the second time there has been a power struggle between Horner and Marko in less than a year. Marko won the last one – securing a new contract with Red Bull. Now, after a meeting with Red Bull chief executive officer Oliver Mintzlaff, he has survived again. But only after Verstappen made his feelings very clear.
On Thursday, Horner appeared in an official news conference in Jeddah and said he believed it was time to “draw a line” under the controversy surrounding his behaviour.
“The reality,” he said, “is that there was a grievance raised, it was dealt with in the most professional manner by the group, that appointed an independent KC, one of the most reputable in the land.
“He took time to investigate all the facts. He looked at everything, and he came to a conclusion where he dismissed the grievance.
“As far as I’m concerned, as far as Red Bull is concerned, we move on.”
Not everyone agrees, though. Honda, Red Bull’s current engine partner, has asked for full clarity on the allegations. So, before the complaint against Horner was dismissed, had Ford, which is joining forces with the team in 2026. The US car giant has yet to comment since.
And if you needed any further evidence as to how much this story has cut through, the leader of the opposition in the UK parliament has also backed the idea of transparency from Red Bull.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, a KC himself as well as a former director of public prosecutions, said: “I obviously don’t know the details of precisely what’s happened. So I’m not in a position to make comment on the specifics in this Red Bull case. They need to sort it out.
“But the general proposition of transparency, the general proposition of when allegations are made, they should be taken seriously, external I absolutely adhere to.”
Questions still outstanding about Horner allegations
Red Bull’s statement announcing its decision said: “The independent investigation into the allegations made against Mr Horner is complete, and Red Bull can confirm that the grievance has been dismissed.”
But what it did not say was why. And for many outside Red Bull, there are still a lot of unanswered questions, which they are refusing to answer.
Who was the KC employed to compile the report? Who paid them? What did the report say? What was its scope? Did it make recommendations? How much attention did the board pay to it when they made the decision to dismiss the complaint?
Post hoc ergo propter hoc, external is an informal fallacy that states that because an event followed another, it was caused by it. Correlation appears to suggest causality, but sometimes it’s not the case.
In the Horner situation, the complaint was dismissed after the board received the KC’s report. But that is not necessarily the same as the report being crucial in that decision.
These questions only intensified when a cache of messages purporting to involve Horner were leaked to the media and senior F1 personnel the day after Red Bull dismissed the complaint.
A week on from that, in the wake of the news about Marko, Verstappen’s father Jos has made another intervention.
In Bahrain, he had said he believed the Horner controversy was “driving people apart” and that the team would “explode” if their principal stayed in situ.
Questioned by the Daily Mail at a rally in which he was competing in Belgium on Friday, Jos Verstappen said: “I sympathise with the woman, with all that she went through, but we will see what happens.”
As for drawing a line under the controversy, he said: “If that’s what (Horner) wants, fine, but I don’t think it will be possible. It’s too late for Christian to say: ‘Leave me alone’. But he has the support of the Thai owner, so I think he will stay for the rest of the season.
“I said it would bad if he stayed. It really isn’t good for the team, this whole situation.
“But the most important thing for me is that Max is happy. That’s what counts for me. I just want him to be happy.”
Yoovidhya, BBC Sport has learned, met with Verstappen’s manager Raymond Vermeulen in Dubai between the Bahrain and Saudi races, and made it clear that Horner was staying, whether the Verstappen camp liked it or not.
Meanwhile, the word in Austrian circles is that this is much bigger than an internal power play at Red Bull Racing between Horner and Marko.
There, it is believed that this is about a struggle between Thailand and Austria for control of Red Bull, with Horner and Marko merely pieces in the chess game. If so, Yoovidhya appears to be winning.
Amid all this, there is an obvious elephant in the room. The woman who made the allegations against Horner has remained silent so far. How long will that continue? If she speaks out, or takes legal action following her suspension, or both, what effect will that have on Red Bull, and on F1 as a sport?
Governing body the FIA and commercial rights holder F1 have said little publicly about the Horner saga – to the exasperation of many senior figures within the sport. That stance is unlikely to be sustainable in the event the woman speaks out.
Given the superiority of Red Bull’s car with Verstappen behind the wheel, all this is unlikely to derail a championship campaign.
But, in time, it is the sort of thing that can destroy an F1 team.
© BBC Sport
Arsenal kept their Premier League title dreams alive by ending an Old Trafford hoodoo to grind out a 1-0 win at Manchester United on Sunday to move back top of the table.
Leandro Trossard scored the only goal on 20 minutes as Arsenal won for just the second time in 17 games away at United to go a point clear at the summit.
Manchester City still have the destiny of the title in their own hands as the defending champions have two matches left to Arsenal’s one.
However, the Gunners kept the pressure on Pep Guardiola’s men ahead of their tricky trip to Tottenham on Tuesday.
Defeat further dented United’s chances of competing in Europe next season.
Erik ten Hag’s men showed more spirit than in a dismal 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Monday, but have now won just one of their last eight Premier League games.
United remain eighth in the table, three points adrift of both Newcastle, who they face on Wednesday, and Chelsea.
Arsenal have been in scintillating form in 2024 to remain in the race for their first league title in 20 years.
Mikel Arteta’s men have won 15 and drawn one of their 17 league games since the turn of the year.
But Arsenal were far from their flowing best as the expected onslaught of an injury-ravaged United never materialised under unusually stifling heat in England’s north-west.
The manner of defeat at Palace had increased the scrutiny on United boss Ten Hag.
He made three changes to the team swept aside at Selhurst Park as Scott McTominay, Sofyan Amrabat and Amad Diallo came in.
The Dutchman’s options were again hamstrung by a lengthy list of absentees with captain Bruno Fernandes among those sidelined and a bench littered with youngsters.
But his decision to retain Casemiro as a makeshift centre-back after his woeful showing against Palace will become another stick to beat the beleaguered coach with.
The Brazil captain was dropped from their squad for the Copa America in midweek due to his terrible form.
After United had managed to keep the free-scoring visitors at bay for the opening 20 minutes, Casemiro was culpable for the opening goal.
The 32-year-old was laboured in pushing up from a United goal-kick to play Kai Havertz onside and Trossard then stole in on the blind side of Casemiro to tap in the German’s cross.
United’s new co-owner Jim Ratcliffe was in attendance at Old Trafford rather than at Wembley to see the club’s women pick up their first ever major trophy in the FA Cup final.
The work that lies ahead of Ratcliffe has been laid bare in recent weeks, but the home side did manage to keep the majority of the 74,000 crowd onside by taking the game to Arsenal after the break.
Arsenal, though, were rarely seriously troubled as they held out for a sixth clean sheet in their last seven away league games.
Alejandro Garnacho was United’s one live wire but smashed into the side-netting with his best chance to equalise.
Gabriel Martinelli and Declan Rice were denied by brilliant Andre Onana saves to prevent Arsenal the second goal they craved to avoid a tense finale.
The visitors desperation to see the game out was evident as Martinelli took the ball to the corner with 10 minutes of the 90 still to play.
But Arsenal did just enough to ask the question City, who host West Ham on the final day of the season after their visit to north London in midweek.
© AFP
Real Madrid snatched an incredible semi-final victory as two late goals defeated Bayern Munich and set up a Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund.
Bayern looked to be heading to the final when Alphonso Davies cut in and blasted past Andriy Lunin after England captain Harry Kane had found him with a superb pass.
But Joselu grabbed an 88th-minute equaliser when he reacted quickest after Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who had been excellent up until then, fumbled Vinicius Jr’s effort.
There was even more drama to come two minutes later when Joselu, a former Stoke City striker, swept home from six yards after Antonio Rudiger’s square pass.
The goal was initially ruled offside, only for a video assistant referee (VAR) decision to show that Joselu was onside, sparking incredible scenes of celebration in the Bernabeu, with Real hanging on to win 4-3 on aggregate.
Real, 14-time European champions, will face Dortmund on Saturday, 1 June at Wembley.
There was controversy in the 13th minute of injury time at the end of the second half as Bayern’s Matthijs de Ligt thought he had taken the game to extra time.
A ball was played up to Noussair Mazraoui and the assistant referee’s flag was raised for offside, with a number of Real defenders stopping before Bayern’s De Ligt fired into the net.
Television replays suggested the original decision may not have been correct and that had the flag not been raised it would have needed to be checked by VAR, with Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel and a number of players including Kane and fellow Englishman Eric Dier strongly protesting against the decision.
Delight for Bellingham but heartbreak for Kane and Dier
For England midfielder Jude Bellingham, the outcome continues an incredible first season at the Bernabeu and he will face his former side Dortmund in the final in London.
Bellingham left the German team for Real in an £88.5m move in June 2023 and has a chance to complete a double, having already helped Real win La Liga.
“At Wembley, against Dortmund… It’s a weird one, I can’t believe it,” Bellingham told TNT Sports. “When I was seven years old in Birmingham, I was dreaming of nights like this.”
While it was a dream come true for Bellingham, there was heartbreak for his fellow England players Kane and Dier.
Kane has scored 44 times for Bayern since moving in an £86m transfer from Tottenham last summer, but this loss ends his hopes of winning a first major title in his career.
Both Kane and Dier played in the 2019 Champions League final as Tottenham lost 2-0 to Liverpool.
Kane had put Bayern 2-1 ahead in the first leg against Madrid, only for Vinicius Jr to grab his second to leave it at 2-2 after the opening match in Germany.
The second leg was played in a fantastic atmosphere at the Bernabeu. The hosts almost scored early on, only for Neuer to make an excellent double save – pushing Vinicius Jr’s effort against the post and then stopping Rodrygo’s follow-up effort.
Vinicius Jr was a constant threat for Real down their left but again saw Neuer twice make excellent saves.
But Bayern, against the run of play, took the lead in the 68th minute.
Kane, in the centre circle, sprayed a superb pass to Davies on the left flank, and the Canadian ran at Rudiger, cut inside on to his right foot and unleashed an unstoppable strike for what looked to be the winner.
Boss Tuchel, who is leaving Bayern at the end of the season, took Kane off with five minutes to go, before Joselu swung the game in Real’s favour.
The striker took advantage of a rare Neuer error and then scored again three minutes later as Real clinched an incredible victory.
Real boss Carlo Ancelotti, who has reached his sixth Champions League final as a manager, said he is going to “enjoy this week”.
“[My players are] unbelievable. I’m really grateful to them,” Ancelotti added. “They work really hard and I think this is the best squad I have ever had in my career.”
© BBC Sport
Crystal Palace sealed a first league double over Manchester United with a rampant 4-0 win at Selhurst Park.
Michael Olise ran 20 yards under no challenge to eventually slot beyond Andre Onana to put Oliver Glasner’s side in the lead after 13 minutes.
Jean-Philippe Mateta surged beyond Johnny Evans to finish emphatically for his sixth goal in a row on home turf.
Tyrick Mitchell tapped in from close range after a fine cross by Adam Wharton in the 58th minute and French youngster Olise capitalised on a Casemiro mistake to power a strike beyond a wanting Onana.
From the first minute, Glasner’s men looked full of intent against a United side who failed to turn up at Selhurst Park.
As a defensive unit, United put in one of the worst performances of the season with Casemiro and Evans becoming their 14th centre back partnership used this campaign.
Eberechi Eze and Olise were given the freedom of the pitch to control the play and caused United trouble on numerous occasions.
Erik ten Hag’s side threatened in a couple of moments with Casemiro twice having goals ruled out – the first for a foul on Dean Henderson and the second for offside.
Odsonne Edouard almost rubbed further salt in the wounds but his injury-time effort struck the upright.
With title-chasing Arsenal next up, United must greatly improve to avoid another thrashing.
No European football for United a possibility
At one stage in the season, Ten Hag’s side looked as though they could put pressure on Aston Villa for a Champions League spot.
That dream is long gone and United are now at risk of missing out on qualifying for any European competition next season.
They must either finish seventh in the Premier League to secure Europa Conference League football or beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final to seal a Europa League place.
One win in seven has seen United slide down the table into eighth and their fixtures do not get any easier with league leaders Arsenal visiting Old Trafford on Sunday.
A defeat by this scoreline can be hugely damaging but for those United fans who made the trip to Selhurst Park on a Bank Holiday Monday, it is the manner in which the players seemingly looked disinterested that will hurt the most.
Wharton an outsider for the England squad?
All eyes have been on United’s talented youngster, Kobbie Mainoo, and rightfully so but it is hard to ignore the performances being put in by midfielder Wharton since his January move.
Wharton, 20, has impressed since day one at Selhurst Park after his £18m move from Blackburn Rovers on transfer deadline day.
Up against England internationals Mason Mount and Mainoo, Wharton shone with his slick passing between the lines and combativeness in defence.
Positionally, Wharton is excellent. Especially for someone at such a tender age. He has the ability to know exactly where to be on the pitch and when it is best to release the ball for a team-mate.
The former Blackburn man has been a huge addition to a Palace side who have won four of their past five.
A fantastic cross for Joachim Andersen to set up Mitchell’s goal was just a small sample of the quality Wharton brings.
England boss Gareth Southgate was in attendance in London with a preliminary squad for Euro 2024 set to be announced on Tuesday, 21 May and with the Three Lions short of players in the mould of Wharton, could a shock inclusion be on the cards?
© BBC Sport
Toto Wolff and Red Bull counterpart Christian Horner have reignited their war of words over Max Verstappen after the Mercedes boss again hinted at poaching the three-time world champion.
Verstappen’s future at Red Bull was thrown into doubt last month after his father, Jos, said the team was in danger of being “torn apart” if Horner remained its principal.
It came after allegations against Horner of inappropriate behaviour towards a woman colleague. He denied the claims and an internal investigation cleared him of wrongdoing.
Verstappen has publicly committed his future to Red Bull, but following the Dutchman’s dominant victory at the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday, Mercedes boss Wolff stirred the pot anew.
Wolff told reporters in Shanghai that “everyone is waiting to see what he (Verstappen) is going to do”.
“There are so many factors that play a role for a driver joining,” said Wolff, who needs to replace seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who is leaving for Ferrari next year.
“Clearly, from the most rational point of view, that’s the quickest car in the hands of the quickest driver,” said Wolff.
“But I don’t think this is the only reason you stay where you are.”
Earlier this season Wolff said that he “would love” to sign the reigning world champion Verstappen if he became available.
His latest comments triggered a prickly response from Horner, who said that Wolff should focus on trying to revitalise Mercedes following a poor start to the season by their high standards.
“Why would you want to leave this team?” Horner said.
“Mercedes are third behind their customers (McLaren and Aston Martin).
“His time would be better spent perhaps focusing on the team rather than the driver market.
“I can assure you that there is no ambiguity about where Max Verstappen will be next year.”
© AFP
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