Follow usWith signs suggesting Christian Horner’s tenure at Red Bull Racing may soon conclude, speculation around his potential successor is rife. Here, we consider who might take the helm of Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda’s team.
Context: A Surprising Turn of Events at the Spanish Grand Prix
Max Verstappen was visibly perplexed during the final phase of the Spanish Grand Prix. The four-time world champion questioned the decision to switch to hard tyres, an unexpected move that seemed to jeopardise his race. Later, Verstappen was instructed to allow George Russell to overtake, a move that left him questioning the team’s understanding of the rules. The Dutchman protested but followed instructions, only to discover post-race that he had been right: he didn’t need to yield his position. The combination of these two questionable decisions by Red Bull Racing saw Verstappen finish in tenth place, a result also impacted by his clash with Russell, which resulted in a time penalty.
Jonathan Wheatley: A Missed Asset
In hindsight, the Dutch camp regrets Jonathan Wheatley’s absence from the pit wall. As former team manager, Wheatley was known for his strategic decisions that benefitted Red Bull Racing over the years. His knowledge could have prevented the blunder over Verstappen’s position, and likely averted the clash with Russell. Wheatley, who assumed the role of team principal at Sauber (soon to be Audi) in April, is greatly missed by Red Bull. The value he brings to a team is evident in Sauber’s pit performance, now the fastest in the field, while Red Bull’s pit stops have slowed.
Could Wheatley Replace Horner?
While Wheatley’s track record makes him a strong candidate to succeed Horner, it would be an oversimplification to regard him as the best choice based solely on these grounds. Wheatley is renowned as a people manager, a quality Horner seems to lack lately, given his rumored flirtation with Alpine. However, Wheatley’s commitment to the ambitious Audi project makes his return to Red Bull unlikely.
Peter Bayer: The In-House Candidate
Red Bull has a potential Horner successor in its own ranks: Peter Bayer. As CEO, Bayer has transformed Racing Bulls into one of the most competitive teams in the midfield. He has fostered an excellent team atmosphere and strategically positioned the right people in the right roles. Bayer’s intimate knowledge of the company and the respect he commands within Red Bull make him a strong candidate. With Bayer at the helm, Red Bull could weather Horner’s departure without losing momentum.
As the racing world watches to see if the Horner era at Red Bull will indeed end, one thing is clear: the team is prepared to embrace change and continue its pursuit of excellence on the track.
