A piece written by journalist Matthew Syed for The Times has caused uproar on social media, with some hailing it as brilliant, and others labelling it as “dangerous”.
The article explains how Syed believes Red Bull boss Christian Horner is tarnishing Formula 1 and is using mental health and bullying as a “deflective tactic”.
In the article, Syed explains how Red Bull can only blame themselves for any mental health issues, with the ‘Cashgate’ scandal being their own fault.
“If there are mental health issues at Red Bull as a result of their rule breach, the responsibility lies with them and them alone – not with those who have criticised them,” Syed said.
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To question someone’s mental health is an extremely controversial thing to do, especially at a time when so many people are suffering from it.
Adrian Newey, Red Bull’s chief aerodynamic officer and perhaps the most famous designer in the history of Formula 1, has seen his wife stick up for the Austrian side, with Amanda Newey questioning Syed on social media over “what qualifies” him to “judge” the team’s mental health.
“What qualifies you to judge me, my husband or any member or family member of Red Bull’s mental state?” she asked Syed.
When you get a year of abuse and you don’t even work for the team, it wears you down. Provoking the fans with toxic journalism adds to the problem,” added Newey’s wife.
It certainly has been a testing time for the newly crowned Constructors’ Champions, with the budget cap breach scandal happening at the same time as Red Bull’s co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz sadly passing away.
Despite the death of one of modern motorsports most influential figures, and the penalty that has been awarded to the Austrians, Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko is adamant that the team are continuing to “prepare to win”.
“There is a lot happening in Red Bull now in strategic and political terms,” Marko admitted.
“There are issues that need to be clarified within the company in connection with the death of Dietrich Mateschitz, but this should not affect the sports component.
“Nothing has changed for the team,” the 79-year-old Austrian insisted.
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“We are preparing to win the remaining two races and judging by the speed and reliability that we have demonstrated recently, we have a good chance.”
Max Verstappen, did, of course, win last weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix, sealing his 14th win of the season.
His 14th victory of the season saw him eclipse Sebastian Vettel’s and Michael Schumacher’s joint record for most wins in a single campaign, with the Dutchman having the potential to push the new record to 16.