Motorsport

THE woman at the centre of the Christian Horner sexting scandal has been grilled by investigators.She was quizzed after contesting the findings of the original investigation when her complaint against the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 boss was dismissed.The woman at the centre of the Christian Horner sexting scandal has been quizzedCredit: RexHorner is married to ex-Spice Girl Geri HalliwellCredit: GettyHorner and Geri at recent point-to-point races as they try to get their lives back on track and leave the accusations in the pastCredit: https://www.instagram.com/p/C5LK-oooIVd/?img_index=1The unnamed woman, who has been suspended from her job at the team’s UK headquarters, has challenged the independent report into her claims.The new KC-led internal probe is expected to last until mid-May, sources said.A source said: “The KC leading the appeal process had hoped to interview her sooner, but there was an unavoidable delay.“A lot of work has gone into the appeal already. But her evidence will obviously form a substantial part of the new investigation.Read more on Horner“It’s important to get it right.”Her latest testimony could also result in investigators wanting to speak to the F1 chief – married to ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell – all over again.“It is possible Christian may be asked further questions in light of anything new she has to say,” the source continued.“He has co-operated fully throughout and will continue to do so.”Most read in MotorsportThis could potentially reopen wounds for Horner and his wife as they attempt to move on from the drama and live a normal yet lavish life.The woman originally accused Horner of inappropriate behaviour back in February as the bombshell accusations rocked the sporting world.Ben Hunt gives update Christian Horner sexting accuser is SUSPENDED by Red Bull after Geri Halliwell’s demands she be ‘out of the picture’She claims he sent her hundreds of “sexually suggestive” texts.At the end of February, these alleged texts from Horner were leaked to journalists and F1 bosses.Horner has always denied the claims of inappropriate behaviour and described the text leaks as “anonymous speculation from unknown sources”.On March 7, the woman was suspended on full pay from Red Bull HQ amid claims her “honesty was called into question.”The reasons allegedly given to her were that she appeared dishonest owing to inconsistencies in the evidence she had provided.She went on to file a grievance with the FIA and its ethics committee, says a source.They revealed: “She has not been allowed to see the whole of the report which cleared Horner and has no clarity as to why the inquiry reached its decision.”The woman was also said to have been “disappointed” and “unsupported” by Red Bull.READ MORE SUN STORIESGeri, who partied at Victoria Beckham’s 50th at the weekend, is standing by her husband and has done the entire time.Horner, who has saluted his “phenomenally supportive” wife throughout the investigation, has made it clear he wanted to “draw a line” under the scandal as soon as the final decision was declared. SCANDAL… LAP BY LAP
FEBRUARY 5: A Dutch newspaper reports a female Red Bull employee has made serious allegations of “inappropriate, controlling behaviour” about Horner to parent company Red Bull GmbH.
FEB 9: Horner is quizzed for nine hours by the lawyer hired by Red Bull to investigate.
FEB 15: He denies the allegations and says they are a distraction for the team.
FEB 15: F1 says it hopes the matter will be clarified at the earliest opportunity after a fair and thorough process.
FEB 26: Red Bull’s engine partner Ford says it is increasingly frustrated by the team’s handling of the complaint.
FEB 28: Horner is cleared of all wrongdoing. The employee is said to have the right of appeal.
FEB 29: Horner says he is pleased the investigation is over.
FEB 29: WhatsApp texts and pictures claimed 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”.
MAR 2: Horner and wife Geri are pictured hand-in-hand, as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen wins the Bahrain Grand Prix. Horner says before the race: “It’s been very testing for my family but we are very strong and our focus is on this race.”
MAR 3: Verstappen’s dad Jos, claims Red Bull is in “danger of being torn apart” if Horner stays in the job.
But he denies being the source of the WhatsApp leak, saying: “It can’t go on the way it is. It will explode. He is playing the victim, when he is the one causing the problems.”
MAR 6: Max Verstappen sides with his dad in the row.
MAR 7: Horner says he wants to draw a line under the scandal and hails Geri’s support — as Red Bull suspends female employee.
MAR 15: Horner’s accuser allegedly launches an appeal against the investigation that saw the Red Bull chief cleared.
MAR 17: Horner, Helmut Marko and Jos Verstappen agree to a ‘public ceasefire’.
APR 23: Female accuser gets quizzed by investigators over claims

The new internal probe is expected to last until mid-May, sources saidCredit: GettyHorner could be made to speak to investigators again over the claimsCredit: GettyHorner with star driver Max Verstappen after a dominant race win in China for the championship chasing DutchmanCredit: PA More

A FORMULA ONE mechanic was knocked to the floor after a pit stop blunder.Alpine driver Pierre Gasly pulled in for a tyre change 12 laps into the Chinese Grand Prix.A mechanic was knocked to the floor as Pierre Gasly tried to set offCredit: F1TVThe wheel was not screwed on properly and fell offCredit: F1TVAlpine’s mechanic fell to the floorCredit: F1TVBut as the Frenchman went to pull away – disaster struck as one of the wheels was not attached properly.It led to the tyre coming off the car and hitting one of the mechanics.The Alpine staff member was knocked to the floor in worrying scenes.His colleagues rushed to put the wheel back on but the delay saw Gasly stay in the pits for close to 20 seconds.READ MORE IN SPORTSky Sports reporter Ted Kravitz later revealed the mechanic was left “bashed and bruised” by the incident but sustained no serious injury.Gasly finished the race in 13th and was heard later on the team radio asking if his colleague was okay. Max Verstappen continued his dominance, winning his fourth race of the season.McLaren’s Lando Norris came home in second.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERAnd Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez completed the podium.Lewis Hamilton had a disastrous qualifying session yesterday in his Mercedes and started from 18th on the grid.The richest Wags in F1 revealed with some earning thousands from InstagramBut he was able to climb up and finish in ninth place. Pierre Gasly finished 13th at the Chinese GPCredit: AFP More

DANIEL RICCIARDO was left seething at Lance Stroll claiming the Canadian made “his blood boil”.Stroll clattered into the back of Ricciardo’s RB to send the Aussie out of the Chinese GP.Daniel Ricciardo has claimed Lance Stroll makes ‘his blood boil’Credit: GettyStroll crashed into Ricciardo during Sunday’s Chinese Grand PrixCredit: EPATo make matters worse, the incident happened behind the safety car when Stroll lost his concentration.It was another error from Stroll, who was slapped with a 10-second penalty by the race stewards for causing the collision.Ricciardo fumed: “Maybe in an hour, when he sees it, he might take some accountability. But if he doesn’t, I can’t help him, nor can anyone.”It’s so frustrating. Obviously, racing incidents happen, but behind a safety car, that should never happen.READ MORE IN SPORT”What made my blood boil is I watched his onboard, to just see it from his perspective.”And as soon as we start braking, you can see his helmet turn right and he’s looking at the apex of Turn 14, he’s not even watching me.”And then when he looks back, he’s in the back of me.”I don’t know what he’s doing, where his head is, but all he has to do is worry about me in that situation, and he clearly wasn’t.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER”Let’s see what he says in the media, but if he comes after me, then I’ll say more…”Ricciardo’s rage reignited after he heard Stroll whining about his penalty and later added: “I’d slowly started to calm down, and then I was told what Lance thinks of the incident.The richest Wags in F1 revealed with some earning thousands from Instagram”Apparently, I’m an idiot, and it was my fault. That made my blood boil, because it’s clear as day and it’s also behind a safety car.”The only thing you’ve got to do is watch the car in front. We can’t predict what the leader’s gonna do. The race doesn’t start until the control line.”I’m doing my best not to say what I want to say, but f*** that guy. And I’m being nice, too! But if that’s what he thinks…”Stroll tried to backtrack later on and insisted his “idiot” comments were not aimed at Ricciardo specifically.”I don’t think it was him,” Stroll said. “Everyone just slammed on the brakes and he was the guy in front of me.”So I don’t think he slammed on the brakes, It was a concertina effect.”🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More