Christian Horner is receiving more support from Red Bull bosses after a sexting scandal
CHRISTIAN Horner breathed a huge sigh of relief after receiving more support from Red Bull bosses.
Horner hugged and shared a joke with Red Bull CEO Franz Watzlawick on the grid before the race, as both sides tried to draw a line under their recent feud.
5
5
Even Helmut Marko, the outspoken Austrian who works as Red Bull’s motorsport adviser and who had clearly aligned himself with Horner’s rival Jos Verstappen, called for calm – just 24 hours after hinting he could be banned.
It was a good day for Horner as Max Verstappen, who was again miles ahead of his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez.
It was Verstappen’s 56th win and his 100th podium in yet another crushing display that will now surely concern F1 chiefs.
The Dutchman’s success goes against the model of American sport and the audience that the American Liberty Media has tried to win over.
Read more about Christian Horner
Verstappen, who started from pole, said: “All in all a fantastic weekend for the whole team and myself.
“I felt very good with the car and that was also the case during the race. The last stint took a little longer than we would have liked, but with the Safety Car you had to go for it.
“So the last few laps with cold tires and rear markers it was a bit slippery, but we had good pace everywhere and were able to handle it, so overall very happy.”
British racer Oliver Bearman impressed on his debut for Ferrari when he came on for Carlos Sainz, who suffered appendicitis the day before and underwent surgery.
The Spanish star, who was here at the circuit to assist Bearman’s first race in F1, where the 18-year-old was voted Driver of the Day after finishing seventh ahead of Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton.
It was a great ride from the Essex-born racer, who had just one practice session to get up to speed before qualifying yesterday.
Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri finished fourth for McLaren behind Charles Leclerc, who took the final spot on the podium.
The result and the call for mussels ensured Horner had a relatively normal day after a whirlwind month following allegations of inappropriate behavior from a female colleague.
The consequences were spectacular and although Marko has now promised to hold the line, Verstappen’s future within the team remains very much in doubt.
What started as Horner’s personal controversy has turned into a power struggle within Red Bull involving Horner, Red Bull’s head of corporate projects and investment department Oliver Mintzlaff and Red Bull majority shareholder Chalerm Yoovidyah.
Horner will receive the support of Yoovidyah while Mintzlaff, who was in Saudi Arabia but not at Watzlawick as expected, was on the grid with Horner.
Yoovidyah and Mintzlaff are expected to meet in Dubai on Sunday to try to bridge the remaining gap between Red Bull’s Austrian and Thai factions.
The news comes after Horner told Max Verstappen he could leave the team if he wanted.
It follows a whirlwind ten days in which Horner was acquitted of inappropriate conduct towards a female colleague.
Verstappen threatened to leave Red Bull if team advisor Helmut Marko (80) is forced to leave because the consequences of the Horner investigation continue.
Marko will meet Red Bull chief Oliver Mintzlaff at the Saudi Arabia GP after being questioned about rumors he could be banned and miss the next race in Australia.
Horner and his wife, Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, showed another show of unity during the race following the sexting allegations.
SCANDAL… ROUND BY LAP
FEBRUARY 5: A Dutch newspaper reports that a female Red Bull employee has made serious allegations of “inappropriate, controlling behavior” about Horner to parent company Red Bull GmbH.
FEBRUARY 9TH: Horner is interrogated for nine hours by the lawyer hired by Red Bull to investigate.
FEB 15: He denies the allegations and says they are a distraction to the team.
FEB 15: F1 says it hopes the matter will be clarified as soon as possible, after a fair and thorough trial.
FEBRUARY 26: Red Bull’s engine partner Ford says it is increasingly frustrated by the team’s handling of the complaint.
28 FEB: Horner is cleared of all wrongdoing. The employee would have the right to appeal.
FEB 29: Horner says he is glad the investigation is over.
FEB 29: WhatsApp texts and photos purporting to be between Horner and the employee are sent to journalists and F1.
MARCH 1: Horner refuses to comment on what he calls “anonymous speculation from unknown sources.”
March 2nd: Horner and his wife Geri are pictured holding hands as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen wins the Bahrain Grand Prix. Horner said before the race: “It was quite a test for my family, but we are very strong and our focus is on this race.”
3 March: Verstappen’s father Jos claims Red Bull is “in danger of being torn apart” if Horner remains in office. He denies being the source of the WhatsApp leak and says: “It cannot continue as it is. It will explode. He plays the victim, while he is the one causing the problems.”
6 March: Max Verstappen is standing next to his father in the queue.
March 7th: Horner says he wants to draw a line under the scandal and welcomes Geri’s support as Red Bull suspends the employee.
But her second public show of support in a week was dented by another joke from Red Bull world champion Max Verstappen’s father Jos, who repeated calls for Horner’s head.
And he twisted the knife by revealing he supports the unidentified team employee who has been suspended after accusing her boss and sending hundreds of “sexually suggestive” texts.
On Thursday, Horner greeted his “phenomenally supportive” wife but insisted it was time to “draw a line” under the scandal.
But his accuser has won the support of Caroline Nokes, head of the British parliament, who encouraged her to take her case to an employment tribunal.
The Sun revealed on Thursday that Horner’s accuser had been suspended, with insiders claiming it was down to “inconsistencies” in her evidence to a lawyer-led investigation.
Pals said Horner found it impossible to avoid his workplace accuser, one of 1,600 employees at the team’s headquarters in Milton Keynes, Bucks.
HR bosses intervened and suspended her with full pay on Monday. She is currently considering whether to appeal the dismissal of her complaint.
5
5