Christian Horner opens up on the impact of his early-2024 Red Bull internal investigation on the team

Red Bull boss Christian Horner has opened up on the impact of his early 2024 internal investigation on the team and said that once he stepped into the garage, the focus was on doing the job. The 2024 F1 season was a tumultuous time on both the personal and professional front for Horner.

He was subject to an internal investigation by Red Bull after complaints from a fellow employee of inappropriate behavior. What followed was a dual attack on Horner, where both his position within the team was under attack and, at the same time, the investigation details went public, hurting his personal life.

It was during this time that Red Bull itself was divided, with Horner on one side and Helmut Marko on the other, with support from the Verstappen family. As the season progressed, the investigation resulted in the team principal being found to have done no wrongdoing, and the tensions slowly dissipated.

By the end of the season, while Red Bull would lose the constructors' championship to McLaren, the team won the drivers' title with Max Verstappen. Talking to Autosport about the tumultuous early phase of the season, Horner said while things were not ideal away from the track, it was business as usual on it.

"The thing is, as soon as you step across that red line into the garage, all the noise from the paddock you leave behind. And as soon as you went across that red line, everything is business as normal."

He added:

"My role remains unchanged. In that there’s an awful lot… I wear many hats with [being] trackside I'm the team principal of a high-performing sports team and from Monday to Friday, I'm the CEO of three technology businesses on chassis, engine and advanced technology. So, nothing has changed, business as normal."

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Max Verstappen's Red Bull future never in doubt - Christian Horner

Horner was also questioned on whether he felt that there were doubts about Max Verstappen's future with the team. The Dutch driver was also involved when Helmut Marko's position came under threat. Max had claimed that if the Austrian was not part of the team, he would leave as well.

When questioned if the driver's future with the team was ever under threat, Horner said that as long as Red Bull continues to give Max a competitive car, the driver isn't going anywhere.

"Max has always been crystal clear with the team. His commitment has been unwavering. He enjoys the people that he trusts and the people that he works with and enjoys very much being a part of this team."

He added:

"Of course, with the talent that he has, I'm sure he's on every team principal’s Christmas wish list. That’s inevitable. But, as long as we can continue to provide him with a competitive car and an environment that he enjoys racing in, I don't see any desire for him to be anywhere else."

The 2025 F1 season is going to be crucial because if the car is not up to the mark, it's going to raise serious question marks over what the squad is capable of in the near future.