- Horner’s future has recently come under question amid a ‘sex texts’ scandal
- Red Bull though have publicly backed Horner ahead of today’s Saudi Arabian GP
- Motorsport advisor Helmut Marko’s future at the team has also been questioned
Red Bull have publicly backed under-fire team principal Christian Horner after his recent ‘sex texts’ scandal.
The 50-year-old was exonerated of charges of ‘coercive behaviour’ towards a female colleague last week, before a leaked email produced evidence purporting to show Horner sending suggestive WhatsApp messages to his colleague.
It was reported on Thursday that Red Bull suspended the female employee whose complaint triggered the furore around Horner, who insisted in his press conference that it is time to draw a line under the saga.
However, there continues to be questions over his future, though Red Bull’s head of sport Oliver Mintzlaff has appeared to publicly back the under-fire team principal.
Red Bull’s head of sport Oliver Mintzlaff told Mail Sport: ‘We are happy with our management.’
Red Bull have publicly backed team principal Christian Horner ahead of today’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Red Bull’s head of sport Oliver Mintzlaff (right) said that they are ‘happy’ with their management despite questions over Horner and motorsport advisor Helmut Marko (left)
Horner (pictured in talks with Red Bull CEO Franz Watzlawick today) was exonerated of charges of coercive behaviour towards a female colleague last week
It has not just been Horner’s future that has come under question on the back of the saga.
Red Bull’s motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has admitted he could be suspended amid a fresh investigation regarding various media leaks in the Horner text scandal.
According to MotorSport, Marko confessed to broadcasters in Saudi Arabia that there was a chance he could be absent from the next race in Australia.
The same outlet report that Marko is subject to an investigation by Red Bull relating to various media leaks that have taken place since Horner’s text scandal broke.
Mintzlaff speaking to German publication BILD, said that there had been a conversation with Marko.
He said: ‘We had a good conversation with Helmut but we want to focus on the sport and get our second victory of the season. We don’t want to talk about HR topics in front of the whole world.’
The future of Marko could have an impact on whether triple world champion Max Verstappen stays with the team.
Verstappen could win his 56th race with the outfit if he converts pole position to victory in today’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Mintzlaff insists a ‘good conversation’ has been had with Marko who admitted he could be suspended amid a fresh investigation regarding media leaks of Horner’s scandal
Max Verstappen has threatened to quit Red Bull if motorsport advisor Marko leaves the team
But Verstappen, Red Bull’s top asset, will not stand for Marko going – increasing the prospect of his moving to Mercedes. The triple world champion said: ‘If such an important pillar falls away, it is not good for my situation and I have told the team that. He is an important part in my decision-making for the future.
‘For me, Helmut has to stay. I have a lot of respect for him, and what we have achieved together. It goes very far.
‘He built this team with Dietrich (Mateschitz, the energy drink company’s late founder).’
Verstappen did not reference team principal Horner in his interview.
Halliwell has showed support to her husband despite his recent ‘sex texts’ scandal
Halliwell arrived in Jeddah for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Saturday after previously supporting her husband in Bahrain
Despite the recent scandal, Horner’s wife – ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell – has continued to show support to the beleaguered team principal.
She arrived in Jeddah on Saturday to provide more support to her husband ahead of today’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
On the track Red Bull continue to dominate, with Verstappen looking to make it two wins on the bounce to start the season.
