Red Bull’s owners reportedly met on Sunday to discuss the future of Christian Horner amid the ongoing scandal surrounding the Formula 1 team principal.
It comes amid rumours that Horner will be sacked ahead of the next race in Australia on 24th March.
The Horner scandal has cast a dark shadow over the start of the 2024 F1 season and reigning champions Red Bull, despite all their success on the track.
The 50-year-old, husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, was accused of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ by a female employee of Red Bull, but cleared after an investigation.
Texts and images related to the probe were later leaked and the complainant has been suspended on full pay by the team, with the saga showing no signs of going away quickly or quietly.
Adding further fuel to the fire, Max Verstappen’s father Jos publicly called on Horner to be sacked, saying Red Bull would ‘explode’ if he stayed, comments he has since doubled down on.
There is now speculation that Max could sensationally leave the team he has won the last three championships with, which has only grown after he said he could ‘not continue’ with Red Bull if team advisor Helmut Marko left.
Marko himself revealed that he could be suspended by the team, seemingly in relation to the leaked texts and images, and there is a clause in Verstappen’s long-term contract that allows hm to leave if the 80-year-old is fired.
The whole saga is taking away from Red Bull’s achievements on track, where they have cruised to 1-2 finishes in the opening two races of the year in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
Though Horner has continually denied the allegations and insisted his time are united, there is a feeling that something – or someone – has to give at this point, at that could well end up being Horner himself.
Christian Horner investigation timeline
How the scandal has unfolded…
Monday 5 February – Red Bull confirm investigation into Horner over ‘controlling behaviour’ allegations
Friday 9 February – Horner grilled by independent lawyer during eight-hour hearing
Thursday 15 February – Horner attends Red Bull’s 2024 car launch and publicly addresses allegations for first time – says he ‘fully denies’ any wrongdoing
Friday 16 February – Fresh allegations emerge in Dutch Newspaper De Telegraaf suggesting Horner sent messages of a ‘suggestive nature’ to a female employee
Wednesday 21 February to Friday 23 February – Horner attends Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain – says: ‘We hope there is a resolution as soon as possible’
Friday 23 February – Sixth series of F1: Drive to Survive releases on Netflix – Horner and wife Geri Halliwell feature in docuseries
Wednesday 28 February – Horner cleared of allegations – Red Bull say: ‘The investigation is complete and the grievance has been dismissed. The complainant has a right of appeal’
Thursday 29 February – WhatsApp messages and images supposedly between Horner and the complainant were leaked to the media and F1 personnel
Friday 1 March – Horner summoned for showdown talks with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem – later, Horner has a ‘blazing row’ with Jos Verstappen
Saturday 2 March – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen wins season opening Bahrain Grand Prix – hours later, Jos, Max’s father, warns Red Bull ‘is in danger of being torn apart’ unless Horner leaves
Wednesday 6 March – Deadline for complainant to appeal outcome of investigation
Thursday 7 March to Saturday 9 March – Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Max says in build-up that his father is ‘not a liar’
Thursday 7 March – Horner’s accuser is suspended on full pay by Red Bull
German publication F1-Insider.com – which it should be said has ties to Marko – claimed that Red Bull’s owners Chalerm Yoovidhya and Oliver Mintzlaff had decided to axe Horner prior to the Australian Grand Prix.
However a Red Bull Racing spokesperson said: ‘As Christian has said, he is grateful for the full support of the shareholders and that remains the case.’
Yoodivhya, known to be a supporter of Horner, was at the season opener in Bahrain and was seen chatting away to the team boss prior to the race while Mintzlaff, known to have friction with Horner, was in Saudi Arabia.
Christian Horner investigation – what we know
The Telegraph has gone onto report that the pair met in Dubai on Sunday, seemingly to discuss how to move forward.
Following Max Verstappen’s win in Jeddah on Saturday, Horner said: ‘It is absolutely fine with Max. He’s working well within the team.
‘There’s no tension, there’s no stress. You can see how relaxed he is around the garage with everybody in the team and that’s translating to his performance on track as well.
‘So we don’t see any issues with Max. I’m aware of all that noise, but it hasn’t distracted the team from the job, and we are one team now.’
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