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Ex-Red Bull Junior Driver in Line as Christian Horner’s Replacement, Claims Ralf Schumacher

Published 02/24/2024, 8:20 AM EST

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via Reuters

The Red Bull controversy is spiraling out of hand with no conclusion to the investigation even 5 days before the testing starts. Christian Horner is in a tough position and although he has been showing up at Red Bull events, his position hangs in balance. In the circumstance that he is released from his position, Ralf Schumacher has a hot pick for Red Bull to replace Horner.

According to OE24, Ralf Schumacher told Sky, “Everyone is replaceable in Formula 1,” while explaining that he already knows the next team principal in line. He stated that Oliver Oakes would be a good replacement as he is “very experienced” due to him managing F2 and F3 teams before. Being at a younger age of 35, he has gained experience as a team principal and has the energy that comes with his youth.

via Reuters

Schumacher stated that Oakes has been “under discussion with other teams,” and if the situation where Christian Horner needs to be placed occurs, he would be a worthy replacement. He concluded the interview with Sky by saying he believes the decision is “not that far yet,” stating that he is sure that it will be resolved before the first race.

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Who are the other potential replacements for Christian Horner?

One of Red Bull’s own, Jonathan Wheatley, could be the new Team Principal. Currently, at the position of Sporting Director, he has experience with the team and knows most of the members, making him fit for the role. Having someone from within the team would be a good option for the team as that will save them time to reintroduce and calibrate the team.

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via Reuters

Another potential candidate for the role is everybody’s favorite German Boss, Guenther Steiner. Steiner has become quite a hit on Netflix’s drive to survive and after being recently sacked by Haas, is looking for a place in the F1 world. Although he has experience with Red Bull as a technical manager, the team was not quite happy with his performance.

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Some speculations of Max Verstappen‘s father, Jos, taking the role while being advised by Helmut Marko, have also surfaced. It would be interesting to see Joe Verstappen back on the circuit for more than supporting his reigning world champion son. While being an F1 driver himself, Verstappen would lack the experience of being a team boss, which might poke a hole in this theory.

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Daniel Ricciardo Is “Next to Max [Verstappen] on the Grid”, Reveals Christian Horner

That being said, who do you think will replace Christian Horner if he is found guilty? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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Written by:

Viren Mirpuri

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Viren Mirpuri is an F1 Writer at EssentiallySports. With a Degree in Mass Media and a Specialization in Journalism, Viren is known for his speedy race day coverage outside of discussing the engine technicalities. Whether he's dissecting the latest technical innovations or unraveling the drama on and off the track, he ensures that his readers stay engaged and informed.
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Edited by:

Akash Pandhare