Formula 1, known for its thrilling races and fierce rivalries, is also the scene of off-track dramas that often steal the show. In recent days, the name of Christian Horner, head of Red Bull Racing, has once again made headlines with an intensity that few could have predicted. New allegations and supposed evidence have reignited the crisis that threatens the future of the team’s director at the team he transformed into a powerhouse in global motorsport. But what is behind this storm? And what are the consequences for Red Bull at a crucial moment in the 2025 season?
Christian Horner, a charismatic and controversial figure, has been with Red Bull since its Formula 1 debut in 2005. Under his leadership, the team has won six constructors’ titles and eight drivers’ championships, with names such as Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen shining on the track. However, Horner’s reign now faces one of the biggest challenges of his career. In 2024, he had already been the target of an investigation for alleged inappropriate behavior with an employee, accused of sending coercive text messages. The internal investigation, conducted by an independent lawyer, acquitted him, but the controversy has never been fully dispelled. Now, in 2025, new developments promise to reignite the case with full force.
According to international media sources, a series of messages and documents, allegedly related to the 2024 case, were leaked anonymously to journalists and key figures in Formula 1. These files, which include screenshots of conversations, rekindle allegations of moral harassment and inappropriate behavior. The employee who made the original complaint has taken the case to the UK employment tribunal, with a trial scheduled for January 2026. The British press, initially silenced by a Reporting Restriction Order (RRO), is now releasing details that put Horner under intense pressure. The Red Bull boss, for his part, maintains his stance of denial, stating that the allegations are unfounded and that he has fully cooperated with the investigations.
In addition to the scandal off the track, Red Bull is facing difficulties on the track. The 2025 season has started disappointingly for the team, which has lost the dominance it displayed in previous years. McLaren, driven by Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, has won five of the six races held so far, while Red Bull languishes in third place in the Constructors’ Championship, with just 105 points compared to the leader’s 246. Max Verstappen, the team’s biggest asset, has not hidden his frustration with the car’s performance, and consultant Helmut Marko also made public criticisms after the Miami GP. The next race, the Emilia-Romagna GP in Imola, is seen as a turning point. Red Bull is preparing an upgrade package for the RB21, and any failure could seal Horner’s fate.
The Austrian press, close to the Red Bull GmbH leadership, suggests that patience with Horner is running out. Rumors suggest that a defeat in Imola could lead to his dismissal, with names such as Jonathan Wheatley, the team’s sporting director, and Oliver Mintzlaff, a Red Bull executive, being considered as his replacement. The tension behind the scenes is amplified by the uncertainty over the future of Verstappen, who has contractual clauses linked to the team’s performance. The driver’s loyalty to long-time ally Helmut Marko has also fueled speculation about a possible exit if the crisis worsens.
The impact of the scandal goes beyond Red Bull. Formula 1, which seeks to position itself as an inclusive and ethical sport, is facing questions about how it handles cases of misconduct. The release of the alleged evidence, even if anonymous, reignites the debate about transparency and accountability in the sport. Meanwhile, McLaren and Mercedes watch from afar, ready to capitalize on any slip-up by their rivals.
For Horner, the Imola GP is not just a race, but a test of survival. Red Bull, once synonymous with invincibility, is now struggling to regain its glory amid a crisis that combines performance, politics and reputation. Can Horner navigate this storm and retain his throne? Or are we witnessing the end of an era in Formula 1? The answers are beginning to emerge this weekend, and the motorsport world is watching.
