Red Bull Racing

RED Bull chief Christian Horner has broken his silence after being cleared for a second time over the sexting scandal.Horner, 50, told reporters today that he is “relieved” by the decision and now wants to fully “focus on track” after the allegations rocked his marriage to Geri Halliwell.Red Bull chief Christian Horner has broken his silence after being cleared for a second time over the sexting scandalCredit: GettyGeri Horner is said to be ‘very relieved’ that the employee’s appeal was thrown out, a source revealedCredit: GettyHorner says he wants to ‘focus on the track’ now as he looks to retain the constructors championship with Red BullCredit: EPAThe Red Bull F1 boss was accused by an employee of making  suggestive remarks earlier this year as alleged sexts were also leaked.An investigation was opened up at Red Bull which saw Horner grilled by an external barrister, his colleagues and even star driver Max Verstappen’s father Jos.Horner has consistently denied all the allegations against him and was later cleared in March of any wrongdoing.His accuser, who was suspended by Red Bull, then launched an appeal.read more in Christian HornerAfter four months, Red Bull announced on August 8 “the appeal is not upheld”.“The internal process has concluded,” they added in a statement. Horner spoke to Sky Sports News for the first time since the decision ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix this weekend.He said: “Obviously, it’s been a hugely thorough process and, of course, I was relieved with the appeal concluding and dismissing the claim.Most read in Motorsport”So, now It’s very much, as it has been all season, focus on track, here at Max’s home race and looking forward to these last 10 races.”It comes as a source revealed to The Sun that the drama had meant “weeks of hell” for the family, who added: “Geri is very relieved.“It has been a horrible process but she has loyally and staunchly stood by Christian throughout the entire ordeal.“This is vindication for them.”Inside Christian Horner and Jos Verstappen’s feudThe couple’s marriage had been put under pressure by the accusations of “inappropriate behaviour”.Despite the public scrutiny, Christian and Geri, 52, put on a united front as the initial complaint was dismissed less than 24 hours before the first practice session of the season.Soon after, a leaked document of alleged sexts were revealed, along with an email which was said to be between the woman and Horner.The scandal rocked the F1 world with interviews with team principals and prominent figures heavily focusing on the investigation. Verstappen’s father, Jos, was outspoken with his support for the accuser. He called for Horner to quit Red Bull in March to avoid the team being “torn apart”.Before 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.”Red Bull director Helmut Marko also voiced his concerns over the allegations.His accuser is still suspended on full pay.Horner’s star driver and current world champion Max Verstappen leads the drivers championship by 78 points over Brit Lando Norris.READ MORE SUN STORIESRed Bull are also ahead in the hotly contested constructors title with McLaren and Ferrari sitting less than 65 points behind.Ten races are left in the F1 calendar which resumes following a four-week break in the Netherlands.SCANDAL… LAP BY LAPFEBRUARY 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 claimsAUG 8: Horner is cleared for a second time over the sexting scandal Geri stood by her husband throughout the processCredit: ReutersThe Sun’s front page after Christian Horner was cleared the first time🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More

MAX VERSTAPPEN has told Red Bull to stay out of his personal life — and vowed to carry on late-night gaming.Formula One star Verstappen also instructed his critics to “turn the volume down” if they do not like his furious swearing on the team radio.Max Verstappen warned Red Bull bosses to stay out of his private lifeCredit: RexThe Dutch driver, 26, came under fire for staying up until 3am on his £10,000 racing simulator before the Hungarian Grand Prix.On the real track the following day, he crashed into Brit rival Lewis Hamilton late on and was effing and blinding on his team radio throughout — before finishing in fifth place.Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko said after the race the team had put a ban on Verstappen’s virtual racing.But three-time world champ Verstappen insisted yesterday ahead of this weekend’s Belgian GP: “We’ve talked about it. There are no new sim races coming up, so I said he doesn’t have to worry.READ MORE ON F1“I don’t have a ban. I don’t tell them what to do in their private time at the weekend. That also applies to me the other way around.“Something is always invented. If you don’t win a race, you get blamed for being up until 3am but in Imola I won the race, while I was also doing sim racing.“This is not something new. I’ve been doing this since 2015. So for me, this is not something that is any different in my preparation.“I’ve won three world championships. I know what I can and what I cannot do.”Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁 Verstappen extended his winless run to three races, his longest since 2021.That stat may explain his fruity language last weekend as he blasted the team’s “s**t strategy, said his race was “f****d” and also hit his steering wheel in qualifying.Watch Max Verstappen swerve to avoid killing a GROUNDHOG during Canadian GPAnd seven-time title-winner Hamilton said Verstappen did not conduct himself like a world champ after the race.The Mercedes ace stressed: “As a team leader, as a team member, as a team-mate, you have to act like a world champion.”He was asked if those comments from Verstappen portrayed that, to which Hamilton replied: “Not like it was last weekend.”Verstappen said: “People that don’t like my language, then don’t listen in, turn the volume down.“I’m very driven to success, I’ve proven that already, I always want to optimise stuff.“People can argue that he might not be so vocal on the radio but that’s their opinion.“My opinion is that it needs to be said at the time, to maybe also try to force that the second pit stop would have been a bit different, that’s how it goes.”Meanwhile, Lando Norris has been feeling guilty team-mate Oscar Piastri’s maiden win in Hungary was overshadowed by his radio row.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Brit, with one eye on the championship, ignored McLaren team orders to allow Piastri past on fresher tyres until just three laps to go.He said: “The fact I kind of clouded over Oscar’s first race win is something I’ve not felt too proud about.” More