The 2024 Formula 1 season has gotten underway under a dark cloud after a female employee of Red Bull accused Horner of ‘inappropriate behaviour’.
The 50-year-old was cleared after an investigation, but supposed texts and images related to the probe were subsequently leaked to the media, including the Metro, and F1 personnel.
This has mounted the pressure on Horner who has repeatedly denied the allegations and is defiant that he will remain in charge of Red Bull.
At the season opening Bahrain Grand Prix last weekend, Horner was joined by his wife, with the former Spice Girl putting on a public display of support for her husband whom she married in 2015.
Horner will not have that same support this weekend however with Halliwell set to miss the second race of the championship in Saudi Arabia, according to the Daily Mail.
However, someone who will be in Jeddah is Oliver Mintzlaff CEO of Red Bull GmbH, the F1 team’s parent company.
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
Saturday 2 March – Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, warns Red Bull Racing ‘is in danger of being torn apart’ unless Horner leaves
Though it has been previously reported that Mintzlaff and Horner have had their differences, it is now said he will be at the race as a show of solidarity with the team principal.
Horner will once again be forced to field questions about the scandal, as will Red Bull’s star driver and three-time champion Max Verstappen after his father Jos called for Horner to be sacked.
Verstappen Snr. made the sensational comments following his son’s commanding victory in Bahrain, where he claimed Red Bull would ‘explode’ if Horner stayed in charge.
Christian Horner investigation – what we know
Footage of a ‘blazing row’ between the pair has also emerged, but, like Halliwell, the former F1 driver won’t be in Saudi Arabia for the race, as he is taking part in a Rally in Belgium this weekend.
Nevertheless, his comments have thrown another spanner in the works, and there is even speculation that it could lead to Max Verstappen leaving Red Bull, especially after it was revealed that he has an exit clause in his £50million-a-year contract.
Intriguingly, it has been reported by the Daily Mail that Verstappen Snr. is in fact ‘close friends’ with the woman at the heart of the scandal, suggesting that this may be why the Dutchman has taken up against Horner.
Furthermore, Bild have reported that Horner was not invited to Verstappen Snr.’s 52nd Birthday party on Monday in Dubai – but the rest of Red Bull’s top brass were.
That’s despite Horner being in Dubai, as he was meeting Max Verstappen’s representatives in an attempt to clear the air between all parties, with the ‘peace talks’ believed to have gone smoothly.
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