Oliver Mintzlaff supposedly praised Christian Horner during the Miami Grand Prix due to job security concerns. The controversy surrounding Red Bull and the accusations against Horner caused significant turmoil within the team. Despite being cleared by an independent investigation, new developments in the case emerged, leading to tense relationships and the departure of key individuals. Amidst this chaos, Red Bull CEO Mintzlaff publicly expressed admiration for Horner.
The sudden departure of an influential figure like Mintzlaff surprised many in the racing community, especially the Red Bull team. Over the years, the 65-year-old has led the team to great success. Speculation is rife that the investigation saga played a role in his exit. However, despite ongoing issues, Mintzlaff applauded and praised Horner, believing in his ability to lead the team to success. It is worth noting that Horner is not only the team principal but also the CEO of Red Bull Racing.
However, F1-insider.com revealed that Mintzlaff’s positive comments about Horner may not have been genuine. It is alleged that the German may have been potentially coerced into speaking favorably about his boss. Refusing to comply with these instructions could have jeopardized Mintzlaff’s position at Red Bull for the upcoming season and beyond. Consequently, the 48-year-old falsely praised Horner’s leadership, despite the evident difficulties within the team.
Despite starting the season with a strong performance, Red Bull has already suffered two defeats. The impressive showing of McLaren at the Miami Grand Prix, resulting in a historic win for their driver, highlighted the challenges that Red Bull is facing. Commenting on the team’s progress, David Croft noted that they seemed to be improving on track.
Croft también mencionó que la Red Bull sacrificó velocidad en la clasificación en favor de mejorar el ritmo de carrera. Sin embargo, otras equipos también estaban progresando consistentemente, disminuyendo la diferencia en relación con el equipo con sede en Milton Keynes. Los comentarios de Norris sobre la McLaren siendo el quinto equipo más rápido en la pista, solo dos décimas detrás de la Red Bull, enfatizaron aún más este punto. Croft predijo que la Red Bull seguiría enfrentando desafíos de sus rivales en la temporada de 2024.
Max Verstappen, piloto estrella de la Red Bull, continúa mostrando sus habilidades excepcionales al lado del dominante chasis RB20 del equipo. Sin embargo, la temporada de 2024 ya ha revelado que sus competidores se están acercando al holandés. Como resultado, el piloto de 26 años necesitará esforzarse aún más para garantizar victorias a lo largo de la temporada. Sin embargo, con su forma actual y los recursos del equipo, Verstappen probablemente asegurará otra victoria en el campeonato.