Christian Horner has ‘terrifying’ amount of power at Red Bull & ‘more will surface’ after sext scandal, ex-F1 ace warns
CHRISTIAN Horner has a ‘terrifying’ amount of power and a ‘lot more will surface’, after the sexting scandal, a former F1 driver has warned.
The Red Bull boss has been under intense pressure amid the ongoing sexting storm after he was cleared of accusations of controlling behaviour by a female staffer.
Horner, 50, who has always denied any wrongdoing, was cleared by an independent investigation at Red Bull.
But the following day a dossier of seedy text messages allegedly between the dad-of-two and the female staffer was leaked.
As a result of the internal probe, his accuser was suspended last week and is reportedly preparing to appeal.
Now ex-F1 driver Christijan Albers has hit out at Horner and warned that more will come to light.
Speaking to the Dutch outlet De Telegraaf he said it was “terrifying” Horner holds so much power despite the bombshell allegations against him.
He said: “Because by the way it’s all being picked up and it’s just being waved away, then you make someone on the other side extra angry. I think a lot more will surface.
“Then, still, [Horner has] this drive and envy to still be able to get that number one position and just chop everyone’s head off.”
He continued by pinning Red Bull’s success on the team’s advisor Helmut Marko adding: “If you start looking very realistically, which drivers did he put in the car and which drivers did Dr Marko put in the car?’
“Looking at success. With all due respect, all success formulas come from Marko.
“So if you really start looking at who has a view on talent, there is absolutely no debate on that. That’s just Dr Marko, who has always made the right choices.”
Once again Horner and his wife Geri put on a united front over the weekend in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia where they watched Max Verstappen claim another victory.
Speaking at the press conference the F1 chief said he was keen to “draw a line” under the scandal and that it was time to “focus on what is going on on track.”
Despite seemingly standing by her man throughout the drama, Geri is said to be “in turmoil” over the sexting storm.
The Spice Girl was pictured at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on Monday, in her trademark all-white ensemble.
Meanwhile, the team was forced to respond after claims a key shareholder was looking at axing Horner.
It was reported Chalerm Yoodivhya, an ally of Horner and 51 per cent owner of Red Bull, had changed his mind on keeping the Brit in post at the Milton Keynes-based team.
Red Bull was forced to respond to the claims that they were looking at axing the Formula One boss.
Erik van Haren, the journalist who broke the story, reported that a spokesperson for the racing camp was forced to respond and quell rumours of a firing following the bombshell claims.
They said: “As Christian has said, he is grateful for the full support of the shareholders and that remains the case.”
While Max Verstappen’s dad Jos has backed Horner’s accuser and has called for £8million-a-year Horner to be axed, accusing him of ripping the team apart.
SCANDAL... LAP BY LAP
FEBRUARY 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. 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 the employee.