Motorsport

RED BULL’S team advisor Helmut Marko reportedly fears he could be SUSPENDED following the Christian Horner sexting storm.The 80-year-old has played a major role in Red Bull’s Formula One success over recent years.Red Bull’s consultant Helmut Marko pictured with Christian HornerCredit: GettyThe 80-year-old says he could potentially be suspended after this weekendCredit: GettyHowever, he now thinks that his future working with them may be up in the air and he may not even make it to the Australian GP on March 24.Marko was also under strict instructions not to speak to the media and, should he be found guilty of releasing confidential information, then he could face disciplinary action.Marko was quizzed about the rumour that he would be forced to miss the next race in Australia and he told the Austrian broadcaster ORF the “theoretical possibility exists”.Should he be sacked, there is a suspicion in the paddock that it could trigger a clause in Verstappen’s contract, paving a way for him to break his pact with Red Bull to join Mercedes.READ MORE ON BOXINGIt comes a day after Sun Online revealed that the female employee who raised the initial complaint had been suspended on full pay.But Verstappen, who took pole position in Jeddah for this weekend’s Saudi Grand Prix, is furious by suggestions Marko could be forced out.He said: “I am loyal to Helmut. He is a big and  important part in my decision making and important he stays within the team including everyone else.”It is important we keep people together because if an important pillar falls away, that is not good for my career as well.Most read in Motorsport”So for me, Helmut has to stay. He has built this team with [Red Bull co-founder] Dietrich Mateschitz from day one and been loyal.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”You need to give the man respect for what he has done and that  comes back to loyalty and integrity and is important to why he stays part of the team.”This new distraction is something neither team principal or Verstappen will want to see.F1 Correspondent Ben Hunt on Red Bull and Christian Horner and the Formula One testing in BahrainThe 50-year-old Horner has been battling a female aide’s discredited claims that he bombarded her with “sexually suggestive” messages.Horner was cleared of inappropriate behaviour towards a female colleague following an internal investigation.But the Red Bull boss was then plunged back into a crisis following an anonymous email leak of WhatsApp exchanges claiming to be evidence from the investigation.He now says that he wants to “draw a line” under the scandal while saluting his “phenomenally supportive” wife, Spice Girl Geri Halliwell.Geri – who was left in tears when the scandal broke – stood by her husband last week in an awkward show of solidarity in Bahrain after hundreds of embarrassing messages were leaked.And Ginger Spice will join Horner at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix tomorrow in another public show of support.Meanwhile, Verstappen has sided with his dad in the bitter row that threatens to rip Red Bull apart.Jos Verstappen claimed following his son’s win in Bahrain last week that Red Bull would “explode” should Horner remain in charge.Verstappen, who as a result of his dad’s row with Horner, has since been linked with a switch to Mercedes, said: “My dad is always very outspoken. He’s not a liar, that’s for sure.”When asked further about his relationship with his father and manager, Raymond Vermeulen, Verstappen says they will ALWAYS be by his side while he is racing in F1.Geri Halliwell will be behind her man Christian Horner again this weekendCredit: GettyMax Verstappen (R) has sided with his dad Jos (L) in Red Bull’s bitter rowCredit: GettyHe added: “I don’t see myself in F1 without them by my side for sure.”He was then asked about his dad’s comment that Red Bull could “explode”, to which Verstappen replied: “I don’t know, I hope not! It shouldn’t be. It’s a strong company, it’s a strong team, a lot of strong team members, so normally not.”If you have arguments or not, there’s always things that can be worked out.“Everyone is man enough and respectful enough to each other in that sense.“I’ve also not also agreed with everything that happened, not talking about lately or whatever, just in general in F1.“Sometimes it’s good to have a discussion about things. You might agree to disagree sometimes, that’s what happens in a relationship.READ MORE SUN STORIES“It’s not about being isolated from it. I think you could see in Bahrain that it doesn’t affect the performance of the team.“Ideally as a team, you wouldn’t like to have these moments, but it also shows that I think we are all focused on our job and that’s to perform on the track.”🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More

SPICE Girl Geri Halliwell will join sext probe husband Christian Horner at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix tomorrow in another public show of support.Geri, 51, will stand by her man again with his Red Bull team – a week after an awkward show of solidarity in Bahrain after hundreds of embarrassing messages were leaked.Christian Horner has heaped praise on his supportive wife, Spice Girl Geri HalliwellCredit: GettyHorner arrives in the paddock on March 8 for the Saudi Arabia Grand PrixCredit: GettyGeri put on a display of unity with her Red Bull racing boss husband in BahrainCredit: GettyHorner was quizzed during a press conference ahead of Saudi Arabia’s raceCredit: GettyThe pop icon has been staying in Dubai as 50-year-old Horner battled a female aide’s discredited claims that he bombarded her with “sexually suggestive” messages.Team principal Horner said he wanted to “draw a line” under the scandal yesterday while saluting his “phenomenally supportive” wife.And Geri – who was left in tears when the scandal broke – will demonstrate her unwavering loyalty again tomorrow at her embattled husband’s side.A source told Sun Online today: “It was tough for Geri in Bahrain but she was determined to show her marriage is still strong and she will do the same at the Saudi Grand Prix.Read more on Horner“Christian has been full of praise for her support and she wants the world to know they are still very much a couple.“She has lived her life in the public eye for years as a Spice Girl and can deal with the attention.”Horner and Geri held hands and kissed during a stilted clinch in front of a battery of cameras at last week’s Bahrain Grand Prix, where Red Bull world champ Max Verstappen triumphed.But F1 season curtain raiser win was overshadowed by the sext scandal, which snowballed further on Thursday when The Sun revealed Horner’s accuser had been suspended.Most read in MotorsportInsiders alleged yesterday that the aide had been sent home on full pay over “inconsistencies” in her evidence to a barrister-led probe into her boss’s conduct.Horner was cleared of misconduct by the probe last week but the scandal exploded 24 hours later when a “sext bomb” of hundreds of texts between the pair were leaked.Sponsors crucial to the all-conquering Red Bull team’s continuing success were asked if they had concerns about the continuing scandal, it was revealed yesterday.All declined to comment except the team’s current engine sponsors Honda, who said: “We do not have full details on the matter at this point.“We look forward to full clarity as soon as possible.”It’s obviously been a very trying period. I’m married and have three childrenChristian HornerHorner yesterday admitted it had been a “trying” time for his family but heaped praise on Geri.He said: “My wife has been phenomenally supportive throughout this as have my family.”It’s obviously been a very trying period. I’m married and have three children.”When that intrusion includes your children and the scrutiny that is placed on my marriage, I’m very fortunate that I have a beautiful family and a very supportive wife. And I’m the only one that has been named in this.”It’s very challenging, because when there’s children involved, when there’s families, parents involved, it’s not pretty. “It is time now to focus on why we are here, which is to go Formula One racing.”Pals said Horner — who was cleared in a Red Bull probe before the leak — was finding it impossible to avoid his accuser at work.Frustrations came to a head on Monday following a series of interventions by high-powered lawyers on behalf of the employee.It was tough for Geri in Bahrain but she was determined to show her marriage is still strongSourceHR bosses stepped in and suspended her on full pay — with some reports citing alleged “dishonesty” — pending the outcome of an internal inquiry.Insiders said the woman had demanded to continue working in regular contact with her embattled boss among 1,600 employees at the all-conquering F1 team’s HQ in Milton Keynes, Bucks.At a press conference ahead of the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, he said: “Obviously there’s been an awful lot of coverage surrounding this.”But one has to go back to the basis that a grievance was raised, it was investigated, and it was dismissed. Obviously it’s been of great interest but I think it is time now to draw a line under it.READ MORE SUN STORIES”I’m afraid I can’t comment on anything that is confidential between an employee and the company.“I am not going to air all the discussions that are private between the parties. Discussions have been had and the team is focused on the challenges ahead of us.” More

CHRISTIAN Horner showed “micro-signals” of fury as he was quizzed over his sexting scandal, a body language expert has revealed.Speaking at a press conference in Saudi Arabia, the cleared F1 chief hit back at claims surrounding the saga – insisting it’s time to “draw a line under it”.Christian Horner became increasingly ‘impatient’ during a press conference in Saudi, according to a body language expertCredit: GettyHorner gave a ‘cold stare’ during the team principals’ press conference in SaudiCredit: GettyHorner (right), pictured with the other team principals, repeatedly tapped his left foot in the airCredit: GettyThe Red Bull chief pictured on March 8 ahead of the Saudi Arabia Grand PrixCredit: RexHorner, 50, faced intense questioning from the media just hours after it emerged his accuser had been suspended from Red Bull Racing HQ.As he faced a barrage of questions about the scandal, he admitted it had been a “very trying period” – and said it was “time to move on”.According to body language guru Judi James, the Red Bull boss appeared “impatient or irritated” during the grilling as he fielded 12 questions about the controversy. Although he started the press conference with a “confident splay of bravado” and “an air of feigned nonchalance”, Judi claimed there was a “sense of exasperation” by the fifth question.Read more on HornerShe told The Sun: “Right from the start we can see Horner’s emphatic ‘tell’. With his legs crossed, his left foot starts a small tapping in the air. “This is a gesture that will usually suggest impatience or irritation.”It is a gesture that we can see growing throughout the conference.”As his turn for questions comes around, Judi notes “a hint of growing tension” his foot circles in the air and his blinking “appears staccato”.Most read in Motorsport”When the questions are invited from the press he places his hand to his nose, suggesting a small barrier ritual – as though he is bracing himself for the inevitable,” she said. “There is a sense of exasperation by the fifth question as the foot raises then just flops. “Asked about the grievance, his eye expression becomes more authoritative and his upper lip curls in a micro-sneer as he insists it’s ‘time to draw a line under it’.”There is a micro-signal of inner anger as Horner speaks about ‘attention in the media’ through clenched-looking teeth. “By now he ends his answer with a small tongue-poke which is usually a gesture of rejection or disgust.”When quizzed about world champion Max Verstappen’s dad and about his own reputation, Horner’s “eye expression” appears “colder”, Judi said. “He ends with a cold stare and his brows are raised in an expression of authority as he tells the press it is now ‘enough’,” the body language expert added.The grilling from the media in Saudi comes after the bombshell leak of hundreds of “sexually suggestive” messages by the 50-year-old team boss.Allegations of inappropriate behaviour against Horner were dismissed by a barrister-led probe.Ginger Spice Geri Halliwell, 51, has been left heartbroken by the scandal, which erupted when the raft of embarrassing messages were released online on the eve of the F1 season opener.The pop icon put on a toe-curling show of unity at last week’s Bahrain Grand Prix in which Red Bull pulled off a perfect 1-2 triumph led by world champ Max Verstappen.And she is now also expected to join Christian in Jeddah this weekend ahead of the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix on Saturday.Geri wanted her husband to cut all contact with his unidentified accuser – but he found it impossible to comply as they remained in regular contact at work.It comes after the staffer, who is understood to have shown up for work at the team’s HQ in Milton Keynes, Bucks, was suspended on full pay.The ongoing saga dogging Red Bull has been complicated by behind-the-scenes clashes between star driver Verstappen’s father Jos, 51, and Horner.Insiders said Jos had become close to the woman – but he has strenuously denied being the text leaker while warning Horner’s team will “explode” if he is not ousted.Red Bull Racing said “The company cannot comment on this internal matter.”Horner, 50, was seen in the Saudi Arabia paddock today for practice ahead of the next race without Geri by his side.READ MORE SUN STORIESGeri was mid-air on her way to Bahrain after her husband was cleared when the texts were published widely online via an anonymous email drop.Halliwell and Horner have been married since 2015 and share a son.F1 champion Max Verstappen with boss Horner after winning the season-opener race last weekend More