Horner Was Reportedly Supposed To Depart Red Bull On 2nd Of February, But Things Changed

According to recent reports, Christian Horner was first deemed guilty by Red Bull's CEO and was supposed to depart the team from Milton Keynes on the 2nd of February.

The Red Bull Racing team principal remains in his position after his investigation was concluded at the end of February, and it was announced he has been cleared of all accusations.

However, we get more news, speculations, and rumors about the controversial case every day, and the pressure of the resignation of the team principal is growing.

The most recent report from BusinessF1 states that an official press release for Horner's departure from Red Bull was already prepared in early February.

Apparently, the CEO of Red Bull, Oliver Mintzlaff (who supposedly learned about the accusations weeks before), decided he wanted to terminate Horner following extensive internal conversations. As BusinessF1 reports, the press release should have read:

Motorsport-Total suggested that Red Bull wanted to allow Horner to depart the company "without the loss of his face" and without "damage to his private life."

However, Motorsport-Total also stated that the 50-year-old team principal did not want to accept this option and called in his lawyers.

His lawyers supposedly intervened at Red Bull's headquarters in Fuschl before the press release was sent out. Horner's contract supposedly includes an "arbitration clause," which gives the Red Bull team principal the right to an independent investigation in case of such allegations.

As BusinessF1 reports, Mintzlaff was certain the independent investigator would rule against the 50-year-old and Red Bull would be unable to keep Horner after what he had seen and read. 

But, as we now know the team principal has been clearer of all accusations. Reportedly, there are doubts about the independence of the investigation that was carried out.