I think another possibility is that van Haren found out about the investigation through some other independent means. And so he went to Mintzlaff to ask about the matter to confirm If the story is true. Journalists do this all the time.Wouter wrote: ↑11 Feb 2024, 11:04Since the death of Dietrich Mateschitz, a huge power struggle has been going on between RB GmbH and RBR/Horner.
The two teams were the passion of Mateschitz, Horner and Marko were in charge.
Now Mintzlaff is in charge and he gives nothing about the F1 and the two teams who were M's passion, only about money .
He wants to be in charge of RBR (TP), doesn't want Ford involved and wants Horner out. He is the only one who wants Horner out.
Not Marko, not Max, not Jos, etc. That's why he told Van Haren and F1Insider that there was an investigation going on.
Something that should have stayed inside!! Because of that Horner is already getting a bad name and that is exactly what he wants. Horner out!
It is not normal for the top boss (Mintzlaff) of a major company to release a secret internal investigation before the final results are known! He knew what the consequences would be for Horner before the investigation.
If Mintzlaff is approached like this and there is an investigation into Horner.. not revealing anything can look like RB are trying to sweep something under the rug or at the very least not being transparent. Given van Haren is likely to then discover subsequently any information because of the high profile nature of it all and how long the investigation has been going on internally there is little reason not to get ahead of the issue and be the ones to create the initial narrative and story.
Mintzlaff's short term goal is not to protect red bull racing's F1 season or stability but to protect the RB brand. A subsidiary's CEO having a scandal and RB GmbH being seen to be covering up/sweeping under rug could be very damaging to brand as a whole and to those in power at RB. So I can see this as a possibility