F1

CHRISTIAN Horner breathed a huge sigh of relief after receiving more backing from Red Bull’s bosses.Horner hugged and shared a joke with Red Bull’s CEO Franz Watzlawick on the grid before the race as both parties tried to draw a line under their recent spat.Christian Horner shakes hands with Franz Watzlawick on the grid before the F1 Grand Prix of Saudi ArabiaCredit: GettyRed Bull driver Max Verstappen, right, celebrates with Horner after winning the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand PrixCredit: APThe Red Bull team leader, seen here with his wife Geri Halliwell, was cleared of inappropriate action towards a female colleagueCredit: AFPEven Helmut Marko, the outspoken Austrian who works as Red Bull’s motorsport advisor and who had clearly aligned himself with Horner’s rival, Jos Verstappen, appealed for calm – just 24 hours after hinting he could be suspended.It marked a good day for Horner as Max Verstappen, who was again miles ahead of his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez.It was Verstappen’s 56th win and his 100th podium in yet another crushing display that will surely now concern the F1 chiefs.The Dutchman’s success goes against the model of US sports and the audience American-owned Liberty Media have tried to win over.Read More on Christian HornerVerstappen, who started on pole, said: “Overall, a fantastic weekend for the whole team and myself.”I felt really good with the car and it was the same in the race. The last stint was a bit longer than we would have liked but with the Safety Car you had to go for it.”So, the last few laps with cold tyres and backmarkers it was a bit slippery but we had good pace all-around and could manage it, so overall very pleased.”British racer Oliver Bearman impressed on his debut for Ferrari as he filled in for Carlos Sainz, who suffered appendicitis the previous day and underwent surgery.Most read in MotorsportThe Spanish ace, who was here at the track to help out Bearman’s first race in F1 where the 18-year-old was voted as Driver of the Day after finishing seventh ahead of Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton.It was a great drive from the Essex-born racer who only had one practice session to get up to speed before qualifying yesterday.Ultimate F1 team principal’s rich list including Red Bull’s Christian Horner and Mercedes boss Toto WolffMeanwhile, Oscar Piastri was fourth for McLaren behind Charles Leclerc who took the final spot on the podium.The result and the calls for clam meant Horner had a relatively normal day after a whirlwind month following the accusations of inappropriate behaviour from a female colleague.The fallout has been spectacular and while Marko has now promised to toe the line, Verstappen’s future in the team very much remains in doubt.What started as Horner’s personal controversy has morphed into a power struggle within Red Bull involving Horner, Red Bull’s head of corporate projects and investments department Oliver Mintzlaff and Red Bull majority shareholder Chalerm Yoovidyah.Horner has the support of Yoovidyah while Mintzlaff, who was in Saudi Arabia but did not join Watzlawick on the grid with Horner as expected.Yoovidyah and Mintzlaff are expected to meet in Dubai on Sunday to try and heal any remaining rift between Red Bull’s Austrian and Thai fractions.The news comes after Horner told Max Verstappen he could leave the team if he wanted.It follows on from a whirlwind 10 days with Horner being cleared of inappropriate action towards a female colleague.Verstappen threatened to quit Red Bull if team advisor Helmut Marko, 80, is forced out as the fallout from the Horner investigation continues.Marko will meet Red Bull chief Oliver Mintzlaff at the Saudi GP after being quizzed about the rumour that he could be suspended and forced to miss the next race in Australia.Horner and his wife, Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, put on another show of unity at the race in the wake of the sexting allegations.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. 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 the employee.

But her second public show of support in a week was dented by another jibe from Red Bull world champ Max Verstappen’s dad Jos, who repeated calls for Horner’s head.And he twisted the knife by revealing he supports the unidentified team employee suspended after accusing her boss and sending hundreds of “sexually suggestive” texts.On Thursday, Horner saluted his “phenomenally supportive” wife but insisted it was time to “draw a line” under the scandal.But his accuser has won the support of UK parliament equality chief Caroline Nokes who  encouraged her to take her case to an employment tribunal.The Sun revealed on Thursday that Horner’s accuser had been suspended, with insiders alleging it was over “inconsistencies” in her evidence to a barrister-led probe.READ MORE SUN STORIESPals said Horner was finding it impossible to avoid his accuser at work who among 1,600 employees at the team’s HQ in Milton Keynes, Bucks.HR bosses stepped in and suspended her on full pay on Monday and she is currently mulling whether to appeal against the rejection of her complaint.Horner talks with Watzlawick in the Paddock before the start of the raceCredit: GettyChristian Horner was all smiles in Dubai as Red Bull bosses back himCredit: Getty More

FORMULA ONE has been rocked by yet another bombshell after Red Bull boss Christian Horner told Max Verstappen he could leave the team if he wanted.It comes after a whirlwind 10 days following Horner being cleared of inappropriate action towards a female colleague.Christian Horner gave Max Verstappen a shock messageCredit: EPAMercedes supremo Toto Wolff wold love to replace outgoing driver Lewis Hamilton with Max VerstappenCredit: GettyThe subsequent fallout has become toxic between the 50-year-old and Verstappen’s father Jos, who accused Horner of ripping the team apart.There has also been accusations of a power play at the top of the energy drink’s HQ, which is based in Austria and their Thai majority shareholder.Now, after growing frustrated by bombastic claims from Verstappen’s father, Horner appears to have called his driver’s bluff while Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said he would do” handstands” to try and get the three-time world champion in his car for next season as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement.Speaking after Verstappen won the Saudi GP, Horner said: “You can’t force somebody to be somewhere just because of a piece of paper.READ MORE TOP STORIES”If somebody didn’t want to be at this team, then you know, we’re not going to force somebody against their will to be here.”That applies whether it’s a machine operator or a designer or somebody in one of the support functions, that runs through the business.”Being involved in a team like this involves commitment and passion. And Max has that, we’ve seen that.”He’s been here since he was 18 years of age. And I have no doubt that his commitment and passion.Most read in MotorsportCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL “But no individual is bigger than the team.”We have a phenomenal car. We’ve got one seat open for next year. I probably got 16 drivers that are desperate to be in that car for next year.F1’s Christian Horner says ‘time to draw a line’ on claims of inappropriate behaviour “I’m sure every team in the paddock would love to have Max but as Toto also said the best drivers always want to be in the best cars.”Wolff was quizzed if he would want Verstappen in his team to fill the void left by Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton.He said: “I’d love to have him.”I think this is a decision that Max needs to take and there is no team up and down the grid that wouldn’t do handstands to have him in the car.”Meanwhile, Horner reiterated that he would not force his driver to stay against his wishes after being asked if he feared losing the 26-year-old.He said: “You can never say never. If a driver doesn’t want to be somewhere, then they’ll go somewhere else.”But as a team, I can’t see any reason why anybody would want to step out of this team. I think he’s got a great support around him. And he’s doing a wonderful job with a great car.”We’re focused on winning, and that’s what we do. That’s what we’ve done today. That’s how we’ve started this season.”Obviously, I’m aware of all that noise, but it hasn’t distracted the team from the job and we are one team now obviously.”We all have a common interest, which is the performance of the team and that is what comes first for every single member who has a role to play in the team.The situation of Red Bull team Consultant Helmut Marko, seen with Max Verstappen, appears uncertainCredit: Getty”From the very top to the very bottom. And without the team working in absolute harmony, it is impossible to achieve performances like this.”But if an individual doesn’t want to be at the team, we don’t force people to be here.”People are here and they work in this sport and this team because they want to be here, because they’re passionate about what they do.”It is that passion that enables us to deliver not average results, but exceptional results. And it’s that passion and commitment by every member which is the DNA of Red Bull Racing.”And that will continue not just this week, not next week. But we’ve done 20 years and will continue for the next 20 years.”It comes after Verstappen threatened to quit Red Bull if team advisor Helmut Marko, 80, is forced out as the fallout from the Horner investigation continues.Marko will meet Red Bull chief Oliver Mintzlaff at the Saudi GP after being quizzed about the rumour that he could be suspended and forced to miss the next race in Australia.READ MORE SUN STORIESMarko, who is a Red Bull employee as opposed to a member of the race team, told the Austrian broadcaster ORF the “theoretical possibility exists”.But he added: “In the end I decide for myself what I’m going to do.” More