Analysis | Internal strife, external pressure: Why does Horner cling to power at Red Bull?

In most other organisations, a leader who is under so much fire would have drawn his conclusions long ago. Not Horner. Is it because he himself was at the inception of Red Bull Racing? Is it because he believes that he and he alone can bring about the turnaround? Or is it a matter of ego? In this case, it is speculation.

At least Horner has the advantage that the majority of the British press handles him with kid gloves and doesn't continuously call for his departure. This is remarkable in a sports journalism culture that normally calls for the sacking of a football club's coach after each major setback. But not in Horner's case, despite the ongoing issues at Red Bull and the swindling sporting results.

It is an undoubtedly known fact among British journalists that the team boss is no longer the final decision maker when it comes to signing drivers, and as everyone surely knows, the atmosphere is far from great within the Austrian racing team - among many other issues.

So why is it hardly written or talked about? Horner has worked well on his own PR in his twenty seasons at the helm of Red Bull Racing, GPblog understands. Here and there, he gives away a scoop or interview, and in return, journalists look the other way when there is actually something very negative that needs reporting. Media that dare to bring up issues that are not to Horner's liking (and Red Bull) are often ignored.

GPblog asked Horner and Red Bull last Friday for a comment before publication on the story, which reported among other things the withdrawal of signing authority and the message from Chalerm Yoovidhya - the co-owner of Red Bull GmbH. Red Bull and Horner chose not to respond. At least, no response was ever received, perhaps in hope that the story would not be published?

The coming months will be a litmus test for Horner. Will the performances improve? In that case, the internal grumbling may subside somewhat. But what about the lawsuit set to start in 2026, where a former employee seeks resolution to the employment dispute after an accusation of inappropriate behavior by Horner?

Is it the banana peel that Horner will slip on? Speaking to those involved, it seems it might just be. The case isn't about whether Horner is guilty or not, but there will be discussion on what led to the employment dispute, and surely details will emerge that Horner would prefer to keep private. Issues that might make the team boss' position at Red Bull untenable, according to GPblog.

It’s certainly not been said that Horner's departure is imminent. But internal and external forces have been set in motion, slowly working towards the moment when an end comes to Horner's tenure at Red Bull Racing.