How the Horner investigation eclipsed Red Bull’s 2024 F1 launch

OPINION: Red Bull pressed on with a typically swashbuckling launch event for its 2024 Formula 1 challenger, the RB20. But there was one topic that dominated proceedings, concerning the serious situation facing team boss Christian Horner and the allegations made against him. Here’s how the day unfolded and what was learned from his first public appearance

He looked rather small.

Christian Horner, surrounded by reporters in a horseshoe of chairs and standing stragglers, a few feet from where Red Bull's RB20 car had just been revealed. The contrast stark between the pristine machine and the messy stack of dictaphones.

Horner’s stature hadn't changed, of course, but there was something missing. The bravado was punctured; the immaculate image sagged. Perhaps, irrevocably so.

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Author Alex Kalinauckas

Alex Kalinauckas is Autosport's Grand Prix Editor, covering every Formula 1 race since the start of 2020. After completing a master's degree in journalism at Goldsmiths College University of London in 2014, he worked for a range of motorsport and technology publications while covering national racing as an Autosport freelancer.

A lifelong motorsport fan - no one in his family can explain quite how or why such a development first occurred - Alex joined the Autosport staff in April 2017 as the magazine’s Assistant Editor covering Formula 2 and GP3, before being made Formula E correspondent and Autosport.com’s Plus Editor in March 2018. He lives in north-east London and is constantly frustrated by the Central Line.