Christian Horner and Max Verstappen’s father have ‘heated’ exchange at Bahrain GP
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Christian Horner’s female colleague who accused the Red Bull F1 boss of “inappropriate behaviour” is set to appeal the outcome of the internal investigation, according to reports.
Horner was cleared of any wrongdoing after a month-long probe, conducted by an external lawyer, while the woman who made the allegations was suspended by Red Bull last week. She does have a right to appeal, though, and The Sun report that she is set to appeal after changing her legal representation, with the deadline either today or tomorrow.
The latest development comes after Horner’s wife Geri Halliwell showed up alongside her husband at Saturday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in another show of solidarity. Max Verstappenwon the race, despite a dramatic weekend in which he was linked with a move to Mercedes amid in-fighting within the team.
The team’s long-term motorsport adviser Helmut Marko will now also stay with the team, after talks with Red Bull GmbH chief Oliver Mintzlaff in Jeddah, when initial reports suggested the 80-year-old may be suspended.
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NEW: Female colleague ‘set to appeal’ outcome of Red Bull probe
Christian Horner’s female colleague who accused the Red Bull F1 boss of “inappropriate behaviour” is set to appeal the outcome of the internal investigation, according to reports.
Horner was cleared of any wrongdoing after a month-long probe, conducted by an external lawyer, while the woman who made the allegations was suspended by Red Bull last week. She does have a right to appeal, though, and The Sun report that she is set to appeal after changing her legal representation.
The team’s long-term motorsport adviser Helmut Marko will now also stay with the team, after talks with Red Bull GmbH.
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson11 March 2024 10:37
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Helmut Marko confirms he will stay at Red Bull
The motorsport adviser and Verstappen ally said on Saturday that he has held talks with Oliver Mintzlaff and will be staying at Red Bull.
A huge relief for the team, given Verstappen’s loyalties to the 80-year-old Marko.
Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko (left) speaks to Max Verstappen (Tim Goode/PA)
(PA Archive)
Kieran Jackson11 March 2024 12:52
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COMMENT: On International Women’s Day, Red Bull’s suspension of Christian Horner’s accuser is truly shocking
Another day in Formula 1’s never-ending soap opera – and another day further away from a conclusion to a story which threatens to rip Red Bull, and the sport, apart.
To recap the latest developments, early on Thursday it emerged that the female colleague, who raised allegations of “inappropriate, coercive behaviour” against Red Bull F1 boss Christian Horner which were cleared by an internal probe, had been suspended on full pay by Red Bull Racing.
While we don’t yet know the grounds for her suspension and whether it could be lifted, the optics of this situation, now, are beyond unpalatable. It is shocking that Formula 1 – a sport that has prided itself on making such strides on inclusivity and diversity in recent years – has allowed the matter to stretch to this point. The message it sends, on the eve of the all-female racing series F1 Academy starting its second season on International Women’s Day, is truly terrible.
Kieran Jackson11 March 2024 12:28
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Jos Verstappen: ‘It’s causing problems if Horner stays’
Asked whether Horner was right to call for F1 to move on from the saga, Verstappen Snr replied in an interview on Saturday: “I think it’s a bit too late for that now. If that’s what he wants, fine, but I don’t think it will be possible. I don’t want to talk too much more as it will create problems.
“But the most important thing for me is that Max is happy, that’s what counts for me, I just want him to be happy.
“All these things that are going on are having an influence on Max. He was third in the first practice, and all we hear about is Horner and what happened with his situation.
“In the press conference Horner gave the other day it was all about him and his problems when we should be talking about Max, the car, his performance and the race.
“I’ve already said I think it is causing problems if he stays.”
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson11 March 2024 12:00
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‘I’d love to have him’: Toto Wolff reacts to Max Verstappen unrest at Red Bull
Verstappen’s Red Bull future is in the spotlight amid the in-fighting at Formula One’s dominant franchise.
The Dutchman, who won Saturday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to land his second win of the season – and his ninth in a row – opened the door to sensationally quitting Red Bull if motorsport adviser Helmut Marko is forced out.
It emerged this weekend that Marko could be suspended as a result of Red Bull’s inquiry into Horner, although the 80-year-old Austrian said prior to Saturday’s race that he expects to carry on.
However, the unrest at Red Bull has put Mercedes – seeking a replacement for Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton in 2025 – on red alert.
Kieran Jackson11 March 2024 11:29
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Max Verstappen is going nowhere, says group CEO Oliver Mintzlaff amid Red Bull storm
The 80-year-old Austrian Marko, an instrumental figure in Verstappen’s career, faces a Red Bull investigation following the probe into claims of “inappropriate behaviour” against Christian Horner.
Verstappen’s deal with Red Bull runs until 2028 and, when asked ahead of Saturday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix if the Dutch driver will remain with the team, Mintzlaff replied: “Of course. He has a contract. Max is a great driver and hopefully we will win tonight. I am here just for racing. That’s it.”
Kieran Jackson11 March 2024 10:59
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WATCH: Christian Horner breaks silence after accuser suspended by Red Bull
Christian Horner said the “intrusion on my family is now enough” after he was cleared of any wrongdoing in an internal investigation following a female colleague’s complaint of “inappropriate behaviour”.
Hundreds of WhatsApp messages allegedly between Horner and the female colleague were leaked a day later.
It emerged on Thursday (7 March) that the accuser was suspended, on full pay, with the decision said to be taken as a result of the findings of the internal probe.
Christian Horner breaks silence after accuser suspended by Red Bull
Kieran Jackson11 March 2024 10:45
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Jos Verstappen sympathises with Horner’s accuser
“I sympathise with the woman, with all that she went through, but we will see what happens,” Jos Verstappen said, referring to Horner’s accuser who has now been suspended. Horner was cleared of wrongdoing by an external investigation.
“Red Bull seem to know what they are doing with her, we will see.
“But I think it is for her to come out and see what happens. I’m not fully up to speed with what is happening with her.”
Kieran Jackson11 March 2024 10:40
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Saudi Arabia Grand Prix recap
The lap counter ticked down but Bearman showed maturity way beyond his years to hold on to seventh place. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri took fifth ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Mercedes’ Russell.
Bearman took the chequered flag just 5.7 sec behind Russell and comfortably ahead of Norris and Hamilton.
“He has done an incredible job,” said Leclerc of Bearman, who was voted by the fans as the driver of the day.
“He was straight on the pace. Seventh in your first race in a new Formula One car is hugely impressive.
“I am sure he is extremely proud and everyone has noticed how talented he is. It is only a matter of time before he is in Formula One.”
Sonia Twigg10 March 2024 14:00
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Saudi Arabia Grand Prix recap
Bearman’s engineer Riccardo Adami was swiftly on the radio. “You are doing a mega job out there,” he said. It was hard to disagree.
Norris and Hamilton, both out of strategy sync after electing not to pit behind the safety car, stopped for fresh tyres and Bearman was now seventh and ahead of both of his countrymen.
When Norris stopped on lap 37 of 50, Bearman was 6.1 seconds up the road. Hamilton, was seven seconds adrift.
“At this pace will Norris catch us or not?” asked the teenager on the radio.
“We might have a chance to stay ahead of both of them,” came the reply from the Ferrari pit wall.
Sonia Twigg10 March 2024 13:00
