There were times in Formula 1 when an experienced team boss half-jokingly told journalists to just look at the clock in case someone in the paddock said a friendly “good morning”. With the beginning of winter, the advice to check the accuracy of the time of day announcement has become more important again. But it’s not about the position of the sun. For a few months now, one investigation has been following another with public participation.
A selection: In December, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff and his wife, motorsport official Susie Wolff, found themselves in the crosshairs before the International Automobile Federation (FIA) ended its investigation into an alleged exchange of insider information as quickly as he did had opened. In February, the affair surrounding Red Bull team boss Christian Horner became public because someone indiscreetly leaked details to the Dutch newspaper “de Telegraaf”, violating all the personal rights of those affected. Last week, the public broadcaster BBC learned, as it claims, of investigations by the FIA Ethics Commission against the association’s president, Mohammed bin Sulayem. He is suspected of having influenced the judgment of track commissioners in the race in Saudi Arabia a year ago. A few days ago, the British broadcaster reported that Bin Sulayem was also accused of asking FIA employees to make false statements in order to cancel the Formula 1 management’s prestigious project, the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
One indiscretion follows another
What do all cases have in common? The second level. The allegations, regardless of the question of whether they are true and relevant, primarily serve various power struggles that are now being played out openly. The Horner case is only ostensibly about protecting a personal assistant who claims to have been treated inappropriately by the team boss. This is proven by the reactions after their complaint was rejected after an investigation by an external lawyer.
Since then, one indiscretion has followed another. With the interest of showing Horner about the publication of an anonymously sent chat history, the authenticity of which no one wants to confirm. Now with the BBC pointing out that the complainant was suspended by Red Bull with continued pay because she was “dishonest” during the interview. If that’s true? We do not know it. Red Bull is not commenting on this before qualifying training this Friday for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (Saturday, 6 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for Formula 1 and on Sky) – and is not allowed to do so.
Hermann Renner Published/Updated: Recommendations: 2 Published/Updated: Recommendations: 3 Published/Updated: Recommendations: 9
In the fight for leadership in the racing team, that much is clear, both sides are now being flanked in unfair ways. But Horner knows that the majority owner (51 percent) from Thailand has his back. And so the Verstappen clan’s openly expressed dissatisfaction with world champion father and spokesman Jos after the season premiere in Bahrain acts as the ultimate threat: the best driver of the moment could, if the situation remained the same, seek his fortune at Mercedes from 2025 .
Red Bull loses Verstappen? That sounds like the news from the beginning of February: Hamilton is moving to Ferrari. Hardly anyone wanted to believe the truth. Sometimes it is difficult even for its source. Horner finally wants “peace” for his wife, his children – and himself. He seems to suppress who is at least partially responsible for the theater.
