Geri Halliwell in Jeddah
Geri Halliwell, Christian Horner’s wife, is also in Saudi Arabia.
Marko arrives
Helmut Marko has reported for duty in the paddock in Saudi Arabia.
He walked in accompanied by Red Bull CEO Oliver Mintzlaff.
Could this be his last race weekend for Red Bull?
Will Verstappen see out his deal?
According to reports, Christian Horner is certain that Max Verstappen will honour his Red Bull contract despite speculation over his future.
The employee at the centre of Horner’s scandal has been suspended, with Mail Sport revealing she was told her evidence was ‘dishonest’.
In the build-up to today’s race, Verstappen has been linked with a move away after failing to publicly back his under-fire team principal.
His father, Jos, was seen in conversation with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who will have a seat available next year once Lewis Hamilton leaves.
But Horner is bullish about the prospect of holding onto Verstappen.
Smooth operation
Carlos Sainz has undergone appendicitis surgery and is on the mend.
I’m sure he’ll be watching on from his hospital bed this evening.
Oliver Bearman is his stand-in and has been brilliant this weekend.
Lando Norris has wished Sainz well, saying: ‘Get well soon, matey.’
Speedy recovery from all of us, Carlos.
Close one!
Oliver Bearman’s dad looked racked with worry while watching his son compete in yesterday’s qualifying session with Ferrari.
The 18-year-old came inches away from making contact with a wall on the ruthless circuit. Just one bump may have resulted in a big crash.
His father, David, was stood in Ferrari’s garage in front of the monitors and his emotions were visible for all around every twist and turn.
Bearman stood in for Carlos Sainz, who underwent surgery for appendicitis. We’ll provide an update on Sainz very shortly.
Speaking after the session, Bearman’s dad told Sky Sports: ‘I’m extremely proud. He did well and did an awesome job.’
Look who’s arrived!
Oliver Bearman, who will race for Ferrari today, has arrived in the paddock. Unsurprisingly, he looked on top of the world.
What a performance from him yesterday, by the way.
He was drafted in last minute as a replacement for Carlos Sainz and qualified in P11 in a car he had barely touched.
That’s real talent! Let’s see what he can do today.
Shock break clause
Max Verstappen could even be free to walk away from Red Bull after Helmut Marko admitted he could be suspended in the near future.
Mail Sport’s Jonathan McEvoy revealed recently that the three-time king of the world has an astonishing break clause in his contract.
This clause allows him to quit if his ally Marko leaves.
The futures of both men have been thrown into question as the ongoing texting scandal surrounding Christian Horner continues.
Mercedes, it should be said, will have a free seat next year…
Verstappen threatens to QUIT
What a story this could be.
Max Verstappen has openly threatened to quit Red Bull if Helmut Marko, his mentor, is forced out in the scandal that has engulfed the sport.
Marko is facing possible disciplinary action and told Austrian broadcaster ORF there was a chance he may not be in Australia on March 24.
Mail Sport understands the latest twist relates to accusations he leaked incriminating evidence against team principal Christian Horner.
But Verstappen will not stand for Marko going.
You can read the world champion’s full quotes below.
Good afternoon
Formula One finds itself at the centre of a raging storm in Saudi Arabia.
Quite simply, Red Bull seem to have imploded over the past fortnight.
First, Christian Horner faced an investigation over allegations of inappropriate behaviour lodged by a female employee.
The allegations were later dismissed.
The woman, who has not been named, was then suspended.
And now, it has emerged that Red Bull’s motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, a close ally of Max Verstappen, is facing disciplinary action.
According to the BBC, the team’s plan was to suspend Marko.
But of course, our attention is also on the on-track drama and we’ll have all the updates and build-up to this evening’s blockbuster right here.
