Lewis Hamilton believes the ongoing tension within Red Bull will destabilise the Formula 1 champions, comparing it to an environment he experienced at McLaren.
Red Bull’s domination has continued into the latest season, but the headlines surrounding the team have been fixated on the probe into Red Bull boss Christian Horner.
Although Horner was exonerated from allegations of inappropriate behaviour, the saga has taken twists that have seen Max Verstappen’s future at Red Bull questioned.
The Dutchman’s father, Jos, claimed that Horner’s presence could “tear apart” Red Bull, while Verstappen has been tentative with his support of his long-term team boss.
Meanwhile, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has also been in the spotlight amid accusations that he was involved in overturning a penalty given to Fernando Alonso in last season’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The same whistleblower also claimed that Ben Sulayem tried to prevent the Las Vegas Strip Circuit from being homologated to host its inaugural race.
When asked ahead of last weekend’s round in Jeddah whether the fallout at Red Bull and the FIA had surprised him, Hamilton replied: “Well I think we’re all surprised at what we’re seeing happening! Are you not? Surprised that it’s everything that’s in the spotlight, but then not surprised.”
Despite Horner being adamant that the operation has remained “united”, Hamilton admits he would be stunned if recent events hadn’t unsettled the Red Bull ranks.
The Mercedes driver recounts how the ‘Spygate’ scandal that ensued at McLaren during his maiden F1 season in 2007 had a detrimental impact on the entire team.
Ron Dennis was responsible for ushering Hamilton into F1 but reduced his involvement with the Woking-based squad following the Briton’s first F1 title success in 2008.
McLaren has not replicated that success since, with Dennis, who oversaw 17 championship triumphs from 1981, departing under acrimonious circumstances in 2017.
Hamilton, however, had exited McLaren prior to that having become frustrated with its failure to deliver him a second title, inspiring his ultra-successful Mercedes switch.
“Just from my experience having gone through something similar back in the day when I was at McLaren in terms of our leader was being questioned and was going through a difficult time, and it affected everybody,” Hamilton addressed.
“So whether or not it is there, I have just been in an experience when we were losing Ron for example, and the things that Ron was going through, and the steps that you have to take, it affected all of us.
“A leader is super-important. They set the tone, they make sure that the team sticks to the core values of what the sport is about, and integrity…
“While there are loads of people further down from the top that are just as important, that leader is key I think to the destination that you are working towards.”
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