• Ricciardo has never been eliminated in the first quarter in Australia
• Delivered a clutch round to put himself in a strong position
• However, stewards canceled the time due to a technical problem

By Josh Alston for Daily Mail Australia

Published: 1:56 AM EDT, March 23, 2024 | Updated: 02:12 EDT, March 23, 2024

The women at the center of Red Bull’s text messaging scandal have today appealed the company’s findings, Mail Sport can reveal.

The unnamed employee initially accused team boss Christian Horner of ‘coercive behaviour’, but an internal investigation involving a QC cleared him of misconduct last month and he remained in charge of the first two races of the season.

On Saturday he will also be in post for a week for the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. But he is being put under further pressure by news of the appeal, which has been lodged with parent company Red Bull GmbH in Salzburg, rather than the Milton Keynes-based racing team.

The woman, who has been suspended with pay, recently changed lawyers – a precursor to her latest legal action.

Messages suggesting her conversations with Horner, the 50-year-old husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, were leaked the day after the investigation cleared him.

The suggestive WhatsApp correspondence was sent from an anonymous email address to 149 figures in Formula 1.

It is believed the female employee insists she was not the source of the explosive evidence. And someone close to her says she feels ‘let down’ by Red Bull and that she ‘behaved correctly during the process’.

Jos Verstappen, father of world champion Max Verstappen, a well-known Horner critic, also denies leaking the information.

No timetable has yet been set for the appeal and a Red Bull Racing spokesperson said last night that they were not aware of the development, adding: ‘It is a matter for Red Bull GmbH.’

A friend of the woman had told MailOnline exclusively: ‘She is so disappointed with how it all went, especially as she did everything by the book.

‘She has raised her concerns privately and has done everything right, but she feels very let down by the company.

“They suspended her because she followed the proper procedure carefully and correctly.”

Earlier this week, Red Bull denied claims that Horner would be fired before the next Formula 1 Grand Prix in Australia on March 24.

According to reports, shareholders of the Milton Keynes-based racing team met in Dubai on Sunday after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, which saw Max Verstappen cruise to victory in Jeddah, his second victory of the year. Meanwhile, stakeholders agreed that Horner should remain in his role.

“As Christian has said, he is grateful for the full support of shareholders and that remains so,” a Red Bull spokesperson said.

Three-time world champion Verstappen has now called for ‘peace’ at the racing team amid the ongoing situation.

It came after he threatened to walk away from Red Bull if adviser Helmut Marko was suspended following claims he had leaked information to the media.

Marko has since insisted he will remain at Red Bull, with the 80-year-old motorsport consultant holding talks about his future with Red Bull sporting head Oliver Mintzlaff in the Jeddah paddock.

“I have always said that the most important thing is that we work together as a team and that everyone keeps the peace,” said Verstappen.

‘And I think we all agree on that within the team. So hopefully that will be completely the case from now on.

‘Everyone is trying to focus in the same direction. And I think the positive of all this is that it didn’t hurt the performances. So it is a very strong team.

“I also think mentally, what you can see not only from the driver’s side, but also from the mechanics, the engineers: everyone is there to do their job.

“And I think everyone, even when things are going on or whatever, they’re just focused on their work as they should be.”

Christian Horner’s accuser was suspended from Red Bull for being ‘dishonest’, it was claimed today – as the F1 boss said his wife Geri Halliwell had been ‘hugely supportive’ but admitted the scandal was ‘very damaging’ for had been him. family.

The female staff member accused the Red Bull team boss of ‘coercive behavior’; a claim of which he was cleared in an internal investigation conducted last Wednesday by the team’s parent company in Salzburg.

Mail Sport understands that the decision to suspend her from her duties at the Milton Keynes factory is a direct result of the investigation’s findings. The unnamed employee was still working this week.

According to the BBC, the reason given for her suspension was that she had been dishonest. It is believed she was accused of ‘inaccuracies in her evidence’.

Today, Horner, 51, faced reporters and admitted the saga had taken its toll on his family, while fending off questions about the woman at the center of it.

“It’s obviously been a very difficult period,” he said. ‘I am married and have three children. And when that intrusion includes your children and the control placed on your marriage.

‘I am lucky to have a beautiful family and a very supportive wife. Of course it is very difficult, it is very challenging. When there are children involved, parents, families, it’s not pretty.”

After the dramatic announcement of the suspension, a Red Bull spokesperson said: “We cannot comment on an internal employee matter.” The investigation involved 60 hours of evidence and culminated in a 150-page report by a London QC.

The employee can still appeal against the outcome of the investigation. The period to do this extends over five days from the time the official legal letters are served on both parties, probably on Monday or Tuesday of this week.

Horner, whose team made the perfect start to their double title defense in the season opener, was keen to put the spotlight back on the Grand Prix on Saturday.

After answering a barrage of questions on the subject, he called for an end to the invasion of his private life and a focus on racing.

“The invasion of my family is enough now.” He said. ‘We have to move forward. It is now time to focus on why we are here, which is to race in Formula 1.

“There has been one thing and a lot of leakage around what is a private and confidential matter between the employees and the company.

‘Unfortunately, that leak generated a lot of attention.’

Last week, ahead of the letters, Red Bull’s GmbH released a statement saying: ‘The independent investigation into the allegations against Mr Horner has been completed and Red Bull can confirm that the complaint has been dismissed.

‘The complainant has the right to appeal. Red Bull is confident that the investigation was fair, rigorous and impartial.

‘The investigation report is confidential and contains the private information of the parties and third parties who participated in the investigation. Out of respect for all involved, we will therefore make no further comment. Red Bull will continue to strive to meet the highest standards in the workplace.”

Thursday’s shock move reportedly comes after Halliwell demanded that her husband cut ties with the female colleague and wanted the woman ‘out of the picture’.

She showed a show of support for her beleaguered husband at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday, with the couple kissing and cuddling in front of the cameras before Max Verstappen claimed victory for Red Bull.

It also follows claims in The Times that the female colleague had been given until Wednesday to appeal the decision to clear Horner of controlling behaviour.

The pair have continued to work together since the scandal broke, with insiders reportedly saying the ‘status quo’ could not continue and that either the woman or Horner would have to leave.

Early on Thursday, the Red Bull team boss was spotted deep in conversation with a colleague in the Saudi capital Jeddah, as he faces increasing pressure over his position.

Horner has been publicly criticized by Jos, the father of star driver Max Verstappen, while the two rowed together last week.

While Ginger Spice may have stood by her husband this weekend in a show of solidarity, insiders said the pop star wanted the female employee “out of the picture.”

A source previously told The Sun: ‘Although she smiled for the cameras during the Grand Prix, Geri has set some strict ground rules.

‘One of these is that Christian breaks or reduces contact with the woman, but that is difficult because of her role at Red Bull.

“And she’s certainly had her say about the messages he’s sending. For obvious reasons, Geri wants to keep the female colleague – whom she knew before her appointment – ​​out of the picture as much as possible.’

The source added that Red Bull cannot fire the woman because there is no basis for doing so.

An F1 insider also told the publication that Halliwell, who shares a son, seven-year-old Monty, with Horner, had shown ‘nothing but support’ to her husband but was unlikely to feature at the Saudi Grand Prix next weekend Arabia will be because she is ‘incredibly busy’.

Horner is facing calls to step down from his role and has been accused by Verstappen’s father Jos of ‘tearing the team apart’.

Verstappen Snr, who manages his world champion son Max, told Mail Sport in Bahrain: ‘There is tension here as he stays in position.

‘The team is in danger of being torn apart. It cannot continue as it is. It will explode. He plays the victim, while he is the one causing the problems.’

Christian Horner’s career in Formula 1 was plunged into a new crisis on Thursday evening when part of the WhatsApp conversations between him and a close female employee were leaked.

The leak of 79 screenshots of messages and photos was emailed to key figures in the sport ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix. The sender was anonymous.

The bomb leak comes a day after the 50-year-old husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell was cleared of ‘coercive conduct’ in an internal investigation conducted by Red Bull’s parent company in Salzburg.

The Englishman was free to stay on as team boss of the world championship-winning team on a salary of £8 million a year.

The leak, which included hundreds of WhatsApp messages, was sent to leading F1 figures including FIA president Mohammad Ben Sulayem and F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali. All team chiefs were also taken over, together with the father of star driver Max Verstappen, Jos.

Shortly after messages and photos were leaked, Horner released a statement saying, “I will not comment on anonymous speculation, but I repeat: I have always denied the allegations.

“I respected the integrity of the independent investigation and cooperated fully with it every step of the way.

‘It was a thorough and fair investigation, carried out by an independent, specialist lawyer, and the conclusion is that the complaint submitted has been dismissed.

‘I remain fully focused on the start of the season.’

The parent company of the world champion team, Red Bull GmbH in Salzburg, which launched the investigation on February 5, said on Wednesday: ‘The The independent investigation into the allegations against Mr Horner has been completed and Red Bull can confirm that the complaint has been dismissed.

‘The complainant has the right to appeal. Red Bull is confident that the investigation was fair, rigorous and impartial.

‘The investigation report is confidential and contains the private information of the parties and third parties who participated in the investigation. Out of respect for all involved, we will therefore make no further comment. Red Bull will continue to strive to meet the highest standards in the workplace.”

Horner broke his silence on the completed investigation on Thursday morning as Red Bull prepared for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Horner told Sky Sports on Thursday morning: ‘I’m just glad the process is over, I can’t comment on it.

‘The focus now is very much on the Grand Prix and the coming season and on defending both our titles.’

Asked if he felt this was the end of the matter, the Red Bull chief replied: ‘I cannot comment further, but the process has been carried out and completed. I am happy to be here in Bahrain and looking forward to the coming season.

‘The unity in the team has never been stronger.’

Horner, who remained silent throughout the investigation, has won 13 world championships since taking charge of the team in 2005 at the age of 31. He was the youngest team boss on the grid at the time, but is now the longest-serving.

Reigning world champion Max Verstappen was questioned ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix about whether Red Bull’s investigation into Horner had affected or changed the team’s preparations for the season.

The Dutchman emphasized that his focus has not changed and replied: ‘That is not the case. I am very focused on the performance of the car and myself.

‘Hopefully it will be resolved soon. It is a team effort that requires everyone to stick together and work towards greater success. That is why it is important to get everything resolved as quickly as possible.

“(Horner) is very important, otherwise he wouldn’t have been in that position for so long.”

Former Spice Girl sensation Geri, mother of their seven-year-old son Monty, stood firmly behind Horner throughout the ordeal. She is said to be ‘devastated’ by the shock the investigation has had on their lives.

It is understood she could join him in Bahrain to watch the start of the 2024 Formula 1 campaign.

Christian Horner has been acquitted of ‘coercive behavior’ after an investigation into the Red Bull team boss.

The 50-year-old husband of ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell has been accused of his behavior towards a female employee. It remains to be seen whether he will keep his £8m-a-year job.

In a statement, the team’s parent company, Red Bull GmbH in Salzburg, said: ‘The independent investigation into the allegations against Mr Horner has been completed and Red Bull can confirm that the complaint has been dismissed.

‘The complainant has the right to appeal. Red Bull is confident that the investigation was fair, rigorous and impartial.

‘The investigation report is confidential and contains the private information of the parties and third parties who participated in the investigation. Out of respect for all involved, we will therefore not comment further. Red Bull will continue to strive to meet the highest standards in the workplace.”

The accusations were made by a close colleague at Red Bull GmbH in Salzburg, who confirmed an internal investigation on February 5.

They appointed a London QC to lead the investigation. He heard 60 hours of evidence, including at least eight hours from Horner in one day, before producing the crucial 150-page report presented to the wider company’s board on Wednesday.

Horner was awaiting their verdict as he made the 3,000-mile journey from Britain to Bahrain on his private jet on Saturday for the opening race of the season.

He was said to be in good spirits during the day, hoping his name would be cleared upon landing in the Gulf Kingdom this afternoon. He didn’t show up in the paddock.

Former pop star Geri, mother of their seven-year-old son Monty, has been staunchly supportive throughout the ordeal. She is said to be ‘devastated’ by the shock to their lives, which they split between their farm (and stables) in Oxfordshire and a house in north London.

Horner has won 13 world championships since taking charge of the team in 2005 at the age of 31. He was the youngest team boss on the grid at the time, but now has the longest tenure.

He attended pre-season testing in Bahrain last week before returning home, with his position seemingly strengthening as the days progressed.

But he appeared to be struggling with forces within the organization moving against him, despite the veracity of the allegations.

Ford, which will have an engine partnership with Red Bull from 2026, led the calls for a quick conclusion to the saga. In a letter written last Friday, CEO Jim Farley expressed his dismay over the “unresolved allegations of inappropriate conduct by Red Bull Racing management.”

This call for clarity at the earliest moment was echoed by F1’s American owners, Liberty Media.

Horner’s position was also undermined, it seemed, by the death of the energy drinks magnate who gave him his big break at the helm of the new Red Bull team 19 years ago. Dietrich Mateschitz died of cancer in 2022, a tragedy that inevitably shook up the management structure, leaving executives jostling for position. A key driving force is said to have been Oliver Mintzlaff, the managing director and former CEO of RB Leipzig, who, it is said, hated Horner’s power base.

However, Horner retained the support of Red Bull’s Thai faction, led by Chalerm Yoovidhya, son of company co-founder Chaleo. Chalerm, as heir to the company fortune with a 51 percent stake, is estimated to be worth £30 billion. He occasionally appeared at races and was seen in long and friendly conversations with the Englishman, including when Verstappen won the third of his consecutive world titles in Qatar last October.

Another important voice was that of Dr. Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s 80-year-old motorsport advisor – an Austrian who was probably more in tune with Mintzlaff than with Horner.

“Marko got a contract extension last year but saw his money halved,” said a well-placed F1 figure. ‘There is a feeling that he wanted to take revenge on Horner and get him out.’

A bruised but unbowed Christian Horner insisted on Thursday that he has the full support of former Spice Girl wife Geri, following allegations of 'controlling behaviour' by a female colleague.

He also stated that he will still be Red Bull team boss when the Formula 1 season starts in Bahrain on March 2.

The 50-year-old Englishman is among the most successful figures in the sport's history and held a series of media interviews at the team's car launch in Milton Keynes amid the biggest crisis of his career. He categorically denies the claims.

For the first time since the story broke last week, he talked about “business as usual.” That is of course not entirely true. This controversy overshadows preparations for Red Bull's upcoming title defense. Still, whatever else happened, Horner showed courage in sticking to his planned media engagements (although what would it have looked like if he had shirked his duties?).

To be honest, Horner was a bit ashen, and not his usual funny self. Normally on launch days like this he would have made a few jokes. Maybe he commented on someone's shoes or made a playful cut to the ribs. But even though he didn't joke at all during his lunch dates, he refused to be written off.

Ahead of the tests in Bahrain next week, ahead of the first race in the Gulf kingdom, he said: 'I have a very supportive family and a very supportive wife.

'My focus was on the track and the coming season.'

When asked if he would be in Bahrain, he replied: “Yes.”

There is no timetable for the completion of the investigation into his alleged conduct; a process is being conducted by an external lawyer, an English QC, whose name has not been disclosed. Horner argued his defense against him for eight hours last Friday.

Thanks to Red Bull, they kept their launch personal. Ferrari, on the other hand, put theirs on Zoom. They also failed to make a virtue of the exciting news that they have signed Lewis Hamilton for 2025.

Questions were censored and deflected. Signing the seven-time world champion was reason to shout from the rooftops. And Mercedes, even worse, performed a bloodless virtual launch that lasted nine minutes.

Although Horner showed up, the back and forth of evidence between prosecutor and defendant means he is advised not to discuss the intricacies of it all for now.

However, he said: 'There is a day's work that we have to work on. I feel the support within the company and our partners, and within the sector. It's overwhelming.

'There is currently a process underway. There have been some allegations made, which I completely deny, and I have fully complied with that process and will continue to do so until it is resolved.

“Moments of uncertainty bring us together and I have never seen a team more together and supportive than it is.

“Everyone is focused on one thing, which is the performance of that car to go out and defend both world titles that we have worked so hard for over the years.

“So everyone has invested in the car and I'm looking forward to seeing it in action in Bahrain next week.

“I am absolutely committed to this team. I've been here since the beginning. I built this team. There have been highs and lows along the way.

'We won 113 races. Won seven world drivers' championships. We have won six Constructors' World Championships. All in 19 seasons and that is in the history books.

“But it's what lies ahead that is important. So my focus is on the future. The intention is for Red Bull's powertrains to become a start-up engine company. We have an advanced technological business system that produces the first ever Red Bull track car. There's a lot going on on campus.

“I've been back to back in the office doing my work.”

Several key Red Bull figures were present in Milton Keynes – which employs 1,500 staff – for the launch, including those from the energy drinks company's headquarters in Salzburg, including director Oliver Mintzlaff, former CEO of football club RB Leipzig.

He and Horner spoke for a few moments. Mintzlaff also spoke briefly to Max Verstappen, Horner's star driver, who said relations with his team boss were 'as normal'.

There is some sense in suggesting that there is a move in Salzburg to clip Horner's wings, a plot that pits the Austrian contingent against Chalerm Yoovidhya, the Thai billionaire heir to the company (who was not in Milton on Thursday Keynes was, but probably a Horner financier).

Whatever the Horner investigation will reveal, Formula 1 has a penchant for vilification, making scheming Tory backbenchers look like Anchorite monks. But for now, Horner refuses to be deposed.

• Christian Horner has been accused of 'behaviour control' by a colleague
• The 50-year-old Red Bull chief was confronted with the accusations all day on Friday
• Bernie Ecclestone has reportedly urged Horner to resign from his position

By Kieran Lynch for Mailonline

Published: 08:22 EST, February 13, 2024 | Updated: 10:01 EST, February 13, 2024

• Lewis Hamilton agreed to a shock £40m move from Mercedes to Ferrari in 2025
• The Brit hopes to dethrone Red Bull's Max Verstappen with the Scuderia
• But David Coulthard says Hamilton's biggest threat could be his new teammate

By Ben Willcocks for Mailonline

Published: 06:53 EST, February 10, 2024 | Updated: 07:37 EST, February 10, 2024

Lewis Hamilton has electrified Formula 1 by signing a deal worth more than £40 million to complete his career at Ferrari.

Last night it was even confirmed that the seven-time world champion will join the world's most famous sports brand from 2025, even if the drama at football's transfer deadline.

When he heard the news, there were hollow faces and distraught faces at Mercedes, the team where Hamilton, 39, has won six of his seven world championships. They didn't see this coming. Mail Sport understands that his team boss Toto Wolff was shocked to hear about the news on Tuesday.

Hamilton had claimed he would end his career with the Silver Arrows. He said he would be a brand ambassador there for the rest of his life. Not so.

It has been an opposing preoccupation of Hamilton's life to one day drive for Ferrari, a dream that dates back to after his debut in Grand Prix racing that began in 2007.

As this newspaper reported in May last year, he was in talks with Ferrari to join them. Yet Hamilton, Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur and Wolff publicly disdained this idea.

The landmark deal was brokered during secret negotiations with Ferrari President John Elkann, the chosen heir to the Fiat dynasty embellished in large part by his grandfather, the late Gianni Agnelli, playboy superstar and supreme multi-billionaire industrialist of the post-war Italy.

In a statement issued last night, Ferrari said: 'Scuderia Ferrari is pleased to announce that Lewis Hamilton will join the team in 2025 on a multi-year contract.'

Hamilton added: “I have had eleven great years with this team and I am so proud of what we have achieved together.

'Mercedes has been part of my life since I was thirteen years old. It's a place where I grew up, so the decision to leave was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make. But for me the time has come to take this step and I am looking forward to taking on a new challenge.

“I will be forever grateful for the incredible support of my Mercedes family, especially Toto for his friendship and leadership, and I want to end together on a high.” I am 100% committed to delivering the best possible performance this season and making my final year with the Silver Arrows one to remember.”

Team principal Toto Wolff added: 'In terms of the combination of team and driver, our relationship with Lewis has become the most successful the sport has ever seen, and that is something we can look back on with pride; Lewis will always be an important part of Mercedes' motorsport history. However, we knew that at some point our collaboration would naturally end, and that day has now arrived.

“We accept Lewis's decision to seek a new challenge, and our opportunities for the future are exciting to think about.” But for now we have one more season to go and we are focusing on racing to deliver a strong 2024.”

The news is undoubtedly the biggest transfer in F1 history, even eclipsing Hamilton's move from McLaren to Mercedes in 2012/2013. He will partner Charles Leclerc, the young prince from Monaco, who has just signed a deal to stay at the Scuderia until 2029 with a salary worth up to £35 million, including bonuses.

Leclerc's current partner Carlos Sainz, who will be at Ferrari next season but not beyond, faces a suddenly uncertain future. His contract negotiations stalled in December last year – and we now know why.

At Mercedes, gloom. They have the excellent George Russell, but who will they work with next year? Maybe his friend from Williams, Alex Albon. But Mercedes has a huge job to do to turn themselves back into the automatic, successful machine they once were.

Hamilton's decision is a small indication of their ability to reinvigorate themselves. He clearly doesn't believe Mercedes can conjure up a winning program in the context of his career – or at least he doubts it.

Like his 103 other record victories, he has not won a race since losing the title to Max Verstappen in that controversial race in Abu Dhabi in 2021.

Meanwhile, F1 experts have offered a more considered take on the huge news.

Martin Brundle said: “I'm so looking forward to this. We've been asking him about it for years and he seemed glued to Merc for life and was always reluctant to move. Hamilton and Leclerc in scarlet red, that's a story.'

David Croft added: 'Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari! Always thought it would happen one day, but eventually it will happen and it seems as early as 2025.

“A seismic move, just like when Lewis joined Mercedes, and just like then I don't see the negative sides. But wow, undoubtedly the biggest transfer on transfer deadline day!'

Former driver Karun Chandhok explained that the romance of one last world title with Ferrari was too good to turn down.

'I tried to understand: 'Where is the logic in a Ferrari move?' Maybe there isn't… Lewis has more money than he could ever spend, hasn't won a race in more than two years, and maybe his heart yearned for a new challenge.

'Winning an 8th title in a Ferrari would be an incredible legacy!'

• Hamilton's Mercedes has struggled to keep pace with Red Bull in recent years
• An 'escape clause' included in the British racer's contract allows an exit in 2025
• Hamilton, 39, turned down a £40 million offer to join Ferrari a year ago

By Jonathan McEvoy for Email Online

Published: 05:05 EST, February 1, 2024 | Updated: 08:24 EST, February 1, 2024