(Motorsports news) Red Bull’s female employee’s concerns about Horner’s actions earlier this year cast doubt on his future at the Milton Keynes-based club.

The probe set off a protracted investigation that ultimately vindicated Horner but also created a power struggle inside the squad that threatened to destroy it.

There were rumors that Horner was supported wholeheartedly by the Thai majority owners of Red Bull energy drinks, while Mintzlaff, the company’s Austrian executive, wanted Horner fired.

This opinion was strengthened by the fact that Mintzlaff remained quiet during the heated exchange and refrained from publicly endorsing Horner, even though he was afforded the chance to do so when attending the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

However, Mintzlaff made it plain in a rare interview with Bild Am Sonntag that he is completely in favor of Horner and thinks he can keep leading the team to success in the long run.

“I firmly believe that,” Mintzlaff remarked. “He only has the team’s success in mind and is a very good CEO.”

The loss of Adrian Newey, Red Bull’s chief technological officer, effective at the beginning of 2019 has not eased the company’s future winning endeavors.

Even while Mintzlaff is disappointed to lose a player with Newey’s caliber, he believes the team will be able to continue making excellent cars because to the technical framework in place.

“Adrian has done great things here over the years and played a big part in us winning 13 world championship titles,” he stated.

“While it’s unfortunate that he’s going, we had a very civil and kind conversation about it. Not only does he leave behind a singular legacy, but he also contributed to the construction of the edifice.

“Of course, we will miss him – also as a person – but tomorrow we will still know how to build a very fast Formula 1 car.”

Due to the date of Newey’s exit, Red Bull will be without him when the team switches to its own engine in 2026 and enters the next F1 era.

Not to minimize the magnitude of the task at hand, but Mintzlaff sees no reason why Red Bull cannot succeed with the upcoming automobile generation.

“In 2026 we want to continue where we are currently: at the top of Formula 1,” he stated.

“Obviously, there’s no assurance, but even though we’ve demonstrated our ability to adapt to significant rule changes, other teams haven’t been able to catch up in three years.

“Max [Verstappen] will have observed this as well, and that gives me a very optimistic outlook for the future. Not all of our preparations for 2026 have been done yesterday.

“Yes, creating your own engine is a significant undertaking, but we are sure we can get this stage down pat. This represents Red Bull’s next phase of growth.”

Also read: Renault’s F1 troubles have showed about failures in the works team