"Peace" has settled over Red Bull, Bernie Ecclestone, the previous Formula 1 CEO, has observed.
While the tumultuous disputes off the track and Christian Horner's controversy made thousands of headlines so far in 2024, the past events in Melbourne and Japan witnessed relatively subdued activities for the leading Red Bull squad.
However, the drama continues subtly in the background. For example, this week will see the commencement of an appeal by the woman accusing Horner.
"What is very impressive is that the drivers, mechanics, engineers, all managed to maintain this level of performance," commented former team driver Robert Doornbos in a discussion with Ziggo Sport.
"There's still a lot of friction there. The process continues and there are different camps within the team now," Doornbos remarked. "At a certain point that becomes disastrous."
"When trust is lost, people start to determine their own futures," he stated.
It's clear there has been interaction between Max Verstappen's management team and Mercedes, amidst concerns that Red Bull's engine program might not meet the demands of the extensive new regulations set for 2026.
"As it looks now, even though they have Ford, they don't have enough power," Doornbos noted. "As a smart driver, you want to catch the next wave that will be dominant."
"That will be Mercedes, in my view," he continued. "As a manufacturer, they have an advantage over a privateer. As a driver, you want to be with a factory team."
Amid the scandal involving Horner and the power struggles between the Austrian and Thai factions, Ecclestone, known for his close ties to the Red Bull Racing team principal, reported, "It's peace in our time."
"And Christian informs me everything's fantastic with Geri. Max seems likely to stay, and it's like all wars in so much as people get over things and move on. After not too long everyone forgets," he revealed to the Daily Mail.
