Red Bull staff 'fear spy has been sent' as Christian Horner saga rumbles on ahead of Australian Grand Prix

Red Bull staff 'fear spy has been sent' as Christian Horner saga rumbles on ahead of Australian Grand Prix

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 19/03/2024

- 09:21

The 50-year-old was recently cleared of misconduct but remains under scrutiny

Red Bull staff fear the team's majority owner has sent a family member to keep tabs on the Christian Horner saga and the wider company, according to reports.

Horner was recently cleared of misconduct. However, despite repeatedly denying allegations of inappropriate behaviour, he has still faced calls to leave his post.


The female member of staff who made the allegations against Horner remains on a mission to resolve the matter.

Widespread reports have suggested she's launched a complaint against Red Bull and wants the company to reverse their initial decision to clear the Briton of any wrongdoing.

Christian Horner Red Bull

Christian Horner is currently preparing for the weekend's Australian Grand Prix

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According to German newspaper BILD, Red Bull staff now fear a 'Thai spy' is taking a detailed look at each department.

They have apparently jetted in to the company's headquarters in Salzburg, with employees worried that sweeping changes could be about to happen.

Horner and his own team, which focus on racing, work in Milton Keynes.

Chalerm Yoovidhya owns 51 per cent of Red Bull and is seemingly keen to discover more about his company and how it operates on a day-to-day basis.

The German newspaper says Yoovidhya wants to 'assert more dominance' over how Red Bull's racing operation is run.

The Thai owner and his family are keen to take a more hand-on approach following the death of company founder Dietrich Mateschitz back in 2022.

Horner's sole focus for now, however, is on the Australian Grand Prix.

Red Bull have enjoyed a positive start to the new Formula One season, despite all the chaos going on behind the scenes.

Max Verstappen won the opening race of the season in Bahrain.

And the 26-year-old then followed that triumph up by winning in Saudi Arabia last time out, too.

Verstappen's long-term future with Red Bull is shrouded in uncertainty, however.

There is talk of a potential move to Mercedes, particularly if Helmut Marko ends up leaving Red Bull in the near future.

Jos Verstappen, the Dutchman's father, has previously called for Horner to leave his position as team principal.

And Jos, speaking over the weekend to Belgian outlet Sporza, has admitted his son 'doesn't like' answering questions about the Horner case.

“It is necessary to regain calm in the team but given the circumstances, it will take some time, I think," he said.

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Red Bull Chalerm Yoovidhya

Red Bull chief Chalerm Yoovidhya has reportedly dispatched a spy to look into the team

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“I can’t say much about it.

"Hopefully they can concentrate on racing again soon because that’s what it’s all about.

“The important thing is that he [Max] keeps winning, whatever he does.

"The car is running very well and between the engineers and him there is also nothing wrong.

“Max can switch off a certain part, only he gets a lot of questions about it.

Christian Horner Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen has won the first two F1 races of the new season while working with Christian Horner

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"He doesn’t like that but it’s part of Formula 1.”

Jos also confirmed a 'power struggle' at Red Bull, admitting it's a difficult case for everybody associated with the sport.

"It’s definitely hard for the outside world to follow," he said.

"I think it is a necessity for them to get calm within the team, but given the circumstances, I think it will continue for a while.

"I’m curious, but it doesn’t help the whole process.

"There is definitely a certain power struggle going on."

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