Grapevine: Horner Set to Replace Purnell at Red Bull

Formula 3000 team owner Christian Horner is set to become Red Bull Racing's new team principal as the Austrian-owned squad undergo a management reshuffle.

Rumours have abounded after the sale of Jaguar to Austrian lifestyle drinks magnate Dietrich Mateschitz that all is not well in Red Bull Racing, and reports indicate that a management reshuffle is on the cards sooner rather than later.

Atlas F1 has learned from sources in Austria that an announcement is expected before the weekend that a Chinese investor, who is insisting upon management changes, has purchased a stake in the team.

This month's BusinessF1 magazine names Chinese entrepreneur Jack Guo as the man behind the purchase of the stake. The changes could see both Pitchforth and Purnell leaving the squad.

According to a report on Autosport.com, high level sources have indicated that both Pitchforth and Purnell will leave the team, with the latter being replaced by Horner, owner of the championship-winning Arden F3000 team.

Purnell, however, said he was expecting to keep his post at the team.

"Dietrich Mateschitz made it clear to the public that he intended to stick with the present management set-up of David Pitchforth and I, and his reputation is that he is a man of his word," he told Autosport.com.

Horner revealed last year his intentions to make the switch to Formula One and admitted he was looking to buy a team rather than trying to bring his own.

On Wednesday, Red Bull Racing announced the dual signings of drivers Christian Klien and Vitantonio Liuzzi on identical contracts, having confirmed the appointment of David Coulthard in the run-up to Christmas.