In a uncommon interview, Crimson Bull GmbH MD, Oliver Mintzlaff offers perception into Christian Horner’s firing and discuss of Max Verstappen leaving the group.
In the summertime, at a time the scandal that dominated a lot of the 2024 season, Horner was sensationally proven the door, a transfer that kickstarted the hearsay mill once more versus silencing it.
Helmut Marko, who has additionally since additionally departed the group, lately claimed that Horner had not solely sought to take management of the group following Dietrich Mateschitz’s dying in 2022, however was liable for Max Verstappen lacking out on his fifth successive title.
„I would not name it a danger, as a result of we had been 100% behind this measure,“ Mintzlaff tells De Telegraaf, in a uncommon interview, of the choice to fireside Horner. „We knew we needed to do one thing.
„I am not a so-called hire-and-fire supervisor, somebody who fires folks similar to that,“ he insists. „Christian has an excellent monitor report with the group and has achieved quite a lot of success. Everybody right here within the firm, myself included, appreciates him for what he has achieved. However that is additionally a part of being an expert organisation.
„You’ll be able to’t hold counting on historical past and we felt it was time to show the web page and begin a brand new chapter. It wasn’t a simple determination, however we did not rush into it both.“
Referring to Marko’s declare concerning the Briton looking for to take management of all sides of the group, Mintzlaff says: „These phrases about Christian are Helmut’s accountability.
„I am unable to say something destructive about Christian,“ he continues. „Just because he has meant loads to Crimson Bull.
„However there all the time comes a time when issues aren’t going effectively after which, as an organization, it’s important to decide. Are you going to offer somebody extra time, or is it time for a brand new chief? We felt it was time for a change. I disagree with Helmut’s statements. Sure, it is logical that issues change in an organisation. Maybe Dr Marko has additionally modified over time.
„I feel it is fairly regular that not all the things is similar because it was 5 years in the past. Christian and Helmut have labored collectively splendidly for years, for the reason that begin in 2005, so we’re speaking about greater than 20 years. Give me a number of examples of different giant sports activities organisations the place the management group has remained the identical for thus lengthy.
„So, you may view it very negatively that they’re each gone now. However I might say that it’s distinctive that they’ve been right here collectively for thus lengthy and achieved a lot. Typically you simply want a change to shake issues up.“
Requested about media claims that there stay factions throughout the group, most notably one led by the Verstappens, which is utilizing the Dutchman’s contract as a method of wielding energy, Mintzlaff declares: „That is nonsense!
„I can inform you that each one agreements are clear, and he is by no means made a single request of me,“ he insists. „The identical goes for his supervisor and father.
„Max is evident about what he desires, and that is okay, as a result of he is one of the best driver on the earth,“ he provides. „Max is a good man, not a diva. I am certain he’ll stick with us endlessly. If he ever retires as a driver, I hope not too quickly, I hope he stays with us in one other function.
„His information and really feel for a automotive are so particular, and he can seek the advice of along with his engineers at a really excessive stage. That makes him distinctive.“
