Max Verstappen says he still has faith in Christian Horner as the scandal surrounding the Red Bull boss continues to escalate.
The new Formula 1 season gets underway this weekend in Bahrain, with Verstappen claiming pole position for the race on Saturday.
But a huge and dark shadow lingers over the sport and its reigning champions following the investigation into Horner after a female employee of Red Bull accused him of ‘inappropriate behaviour’.
Red Bull cleared the 50-year-old of any wrongdoing on Wednesday, but 24 hours later, WhatsApp texts and images seemingly between Horner and his accuser were leaked to the media, including the Metro, and F1 personnel.
Some details of the materials have been revealed, but at the time of writing the Metro cannot comment more on them.
The whole saga continues to dominate headlines rather than what is happening on track, much to the annoyance of Verstappen who has been consistently coy on the matter up to now.
However, in the post-qualifying press conference, the three-time reigning champion launched a passionate defence of his team principal when asked whether he still had faith in him.
Christian Horner investigation timeline
How the scandal has unfolded…
Monday 5 February – Red Bull confirm investigation into Horner over ‘controlling behaviour’ allegations
Friday 9 February – Horner grilled by independent lawyer during eight-hour hearing
Thursday 15 February – Horner attends Red Bull’s 2024 car launch and publicly addresses allegations for first time – says he ‘fully denies’ any wrongdoing
Friday 16 February – Fresh allegations emerge in Dutch Newspaper De Telegraaf suggesting Horner sent messages of a ‘suggestive nature’ to a female employee
Wednesday 21 February to Friday 23 February – Horner attends Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain – says: ‘We hope there is a resolution as soon as possible’
Friday 23 February – Sixth series of F1: Drive to Survive releases on Netflix – Horner and wife Geri Halliwell feature in docuseries
Wednesday 28 February – Horner cleared of allegations – Red Bull say: ‘The investigation is complete and the grievance has been dismissed. The complainant has a right of appeal’
Thursday 29 February to Saturday 2 March – Formula 1 season gets underway with the Bahrain Grand Prix
Thursday 29 February – WhatsApp messages and images supposedly between Horner and the complainant were leaked to the media and F1 personnel
Friday 1 March – Horner summoned for showdown talks with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem
‘From my side, and I think what I can see also from the mechanics and the engineers, we are all fully focused on the car and the performance here during the weekend,’ the 26-year-old said.
‘That’s how it should be, I think, and that’s what we continue to do, because it’s not our business. We are not particularly involved in that and we are paid to do our job and that’s what we love doing, so that’s what we focus on.’
The question was put to the Dutchman again, to which he responded: ‘Listen, when I look at how Christian operates within the team, he has been an incredible team boss so absolutely from the performance side of things, you can’t even question that.
Christian Horner investigation – what we know
‘So that’s what I’m also dealing with. I speak to Christian a lot, and also of course throughout the weekend here. He is fully committed to the team. He’s also here for the performance.
‘Of course probably a little bit distracted but like I said before we all focus on the performance side of things and that’s how we all work together.’
More to follow…
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