evh-transcript

A shock goes through Formula 1 as the Telegraph reveals that Christian Horner, Max Verstappen's team boss, is accused of transgressive behaviour. An independent investigation into Horner has already been launched. Formula 1 follower of the Telegraaf Erik van Haren came up with the story. Erik, what exactly is Horner accused of? Yes, of course you hear all kinds of things in these kinds of cases, but then you always have to be a bit restrained as a reporter before you know for sure what is going on. But at least what we know for sure is that there has been an accusation or accusations made internally at the Red Bull Top. So not Red Bull Racing, but really Red Bull Austria, so the headquarters, where all those Red Bull sports brands fall. From someone who came forward and there also seems to be a lot of evidence that Horner, who would have been guilty of transgressive behavior. Yes, I've gotten a lot of tips about that, called around a lot the past few days. Yes, Red Bull Austria, i.e. the head office, has itself confirmed that an investigation is indeed underway and that it is already underway. So it is not from today or yesterday and that an external lawyer has been engaged. to manage all of that and to listen to all parties. So it's super serious. They also take it very seriously. And yes, that is of course a huge bomb in the Formula 1 world. Yes, definitely. But it is indeed about one report that was made against Horner. Yes, at least that's what we know for sure. And yes, that it has also been for a long period of time. And there seems to be evidence for it, but I haven't seen it myself. So you have to, which I'm saying again, you have to be a little bit cautious about that. That it is taken so seriously and that Red Bull itself confirms this to us, when asked. And the fact that we have asked for a response, of course, says something.

And Horner himself denies it in all tones. We gave him ample opportunity to respond. It actually took a whole weekend. Of course, this also involves lawyers. But he has so far only said that he denies it.

Okay, but transgressive behavior is what it is about, but what exactly that entails, that has not yet been made public. You don't know that either, but at least... What I'm saying, you hear a lot of things, only it's not up to me to say that now, I think. But of course we are working on it and if you hear more about it, we will of course report it. But yes, of course it is... Of course, I also know when they bring this out how serious it is. Yes, it's serious in any case. For Horner, of course, it is a blow that this is happening to him now, while he is being accused of something. But he is an icon for Red Bull. Do we believe from 2005 that he is at the helm there? Yes, since the first year. And this year they are celebrating their 20th anniversary of Formula 1. Yes, only after these kinds of stories you can of course wonder... how long he will stay on as team boss... And whether he might soon be put on hold... Or that he takes that step himself. Of course, there is also a lot coming over him. Although, of course, he knew from the publications that he was coming. But what's interesting now is also to know... that this reaction comes from Austria. Olivier Mintzlaff is Red Bull's top sporting boss... since the death of Matthies, the founder. And then you have Matesiets' son, Marco Matesiets, who owns 49% of the shares. 51% are from that Thai owner. So now it's really the question of what are they going to do? Will they keep him over his head or will they intervene? Or are they going to wait for an investigation and then for him to return? That's kind of the question now.

And what you get a little bit, which of course we also talked about last year, that a little bit of that power struggle that was going on at Red Bull between Helmut Marco, the Austrian side, and Horner on the other side. Yes, that seems to be coming to a very bizarre climax now, because if you are a bit well signed, and that is not a big secret, they also know that with other teams, is that [Horner and Marko] become more and more like water and fire. Although, of course, in the publicity they pretend that nothing is wrong. But if you call around a bit, you'll know better. If you look at the organization Red Bull and when it comes to this accusation, apart from all the conflicts that are already going on.

But what do you expect their line to be in such a conflict? That they'd rather not have this in their club at all?

I think so, especially these days. Nowadays, of course, this is even more sensitive in these times. And yes, if Horner really wants to take on too much power, then of course it could also be a way for the Austrians to say, hey, things are not going well. And then this too. Yes, we can't go on like this with each other in a normal... No, that it is also used in that way against Horner. It could be, but okay. Anyway, the accusation is there, that investigation is ongoing. And Horner denies it. Yes, but of course, he will also have to answer to that external lawyer hired by Red Bull. And yes, I'm very curious to see how the team will react. The team itself does not want to comment at this time. We only have that quote from Horner and I think they also refer to other media who are now of course all calling this is the quote we gave to the Telegraph. And Red Bull itself, the Austrian group, has of course given us a branch.

But do you hear anything behind the scenes from Max Verstappen about what this is doing to Red Bull in the run-up to a new season? And also with Verstappen, because Horner and Verstappen, yes, fill it in yourself. Yes, Horner is, of course, the team principal and the CEO of Red Bull Racing. More than a thousand people work there. Super important for the operational side of the whole story. However, it is of course known to all Formula 1 connoisseurs that Helmut Marco, the Austrian, pulls the big picture. So he decides who sits in those seats. And yes, Horner might be the guy who would like to do that too, but Helmoet is the guy, Helmoet Marco, who makes the big decisions. So if you were to ask Max Verstappen, the most important man in that team, with a knife to your throat, If you had to choose between Christian Horner and Helmut Marco, you would always choose Helmut Marco. Apart from this whole story. That's what he's always said. I am super loyal to Helmut Marco. And last year, when things also threatened to go wrong, that Helmut Marco was pushed a bit towards the exit. Then Max Verstappen also has said that to the Thai owner in Qatar that I want Helmut to stay, otherwise I might be gone too.

But of course he heard from 2005 at Red Bull successes with Vettel, successes now with Verstappen. So on the other hand, you could also say that they won't take any chances to get him... That is why it is extra significant that they come up with this statement. If there had been nothing wrong at all, if it was very premature, they would never have said to the Telegraaf from the Netherlands... There is an independent investigation, we take it very seriously. Then they would have said either no response, or based on lies, or they are just rumors. No, they came up with this response within a few hours. Yes, that's actually very telling. Everything is on edge. Indeed, a bomb bursting in Formula 1. Talking about Horner, because he has of course built up a huge reputation. I believe he was once knighted by Charles. A relationship with an ex Spice Girl too, huh? In the Netherlands we are still pretty neat, but the English tabloids will of course know what to do with in their headlines. And indeed also with the relationship with that Spice Girl. Look, this is a man who is very prominent. He also likes the attention. He's a man, of course, even in the Netflix documentaries, who's always good for some sneers and some... Jokes and jokes, but he may also have two faces. We will have to wait and see the investigation. And many other teams, that's how it goes in the snake single, Formula 1. Of course, Horner doesn't just have friends. They will have to laugh at the sight of this environment. The pressure is immense on him, but let's step back. Of course, he may also have benefited from Horner above him and still been able to achieve those successes with that. Do you think he's going to be bothered by the fact that all this is going to be around him now? No, I don't think so. Because in the end, Horner is not the man who builds the car, not the man who designs the car. He's not the guy who makes the big decisions. Of course he is important for Max Verstappen's career, but I think there are other people within the team who are even more important to him. Of course, Verstappen himself has now also built up such a status in that team that he is not dependent on one person. When will there be more clarity tonight? Yes, this kind of thing... Of course, I often write about an engine change or I don't know what. That's not my expertise, but of course this can happen very quickly... Because under pressure, everything liquefies. An investigation is already underway. Horner will still have to answer for himself. But yes, next Thursday they will present a new car. That's a super-sized presentation, because it's the team's 20th anniversary. Whether he will be there in Milton Keynes on 15 February, we will have to wait and see. And so this is a bomb under the start of the Formula 1 season in any case, Erik. It's not boring, no. We've had Hamilton, we've had Ferrari, we've got this and the season has yet to start. So that's promising. Thanks for now.