Christian Horner investigation: Red Bull’s Helmut Marko backtracks in confusing update

Before this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Christian Horner is still the Red Bull team principal, despite Jos Verstappen, Max Verstappen’s father, urging him to resign.

In contrast to his decision over the weekend, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has chosen to stop commenting on the rumors surrounding Christian Horner’s potential replacement as team principal.

After Red Bull conducted an investigation into Horner’s alleged inappropriate behavior toward a female colleague, Horner is still the subject of speculation. After a 23-day investigation that concluded last Wednesday, Red Bull GmbH, the parent company of Red Bull Racing, finally exonerated the 50-year-old team manager, who had vehemently denied the allegations.

A day later, high-ranking Formula 1 Paddock members and the media were privy to a cache of private messages and images from Horner’s WhatsApp account. Even though Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez helped Red Bull secure a one-two finish in the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday, Horner is still under pressure following Vestappen’s father, Jos, publicly calling for him to resign.

Following Red Bull’s flawless start to the new campaign, Marko, 80, has commented on the contentious situation several times. In response, he told Sky Germany, “We assume that our strength and cohesion will remain intact.”

But as of right now, the former driver has refrained from commenting after being questioned by Austrian outlet OE24 regarding Horner’s future. After Marko said, “I won’t say anything about that until the case is finally closed,” he was informed that Red Bull’s investigation was already over. “All right, so my expression was incorrect. So let’s continue without commenting.

Horner is “absolutely confident” that he will attend this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the first of the 2024 Formula One season. Geri Halliwell, his wife of nine years, has other obligations, so she will not be there. The former Spice Girls star and Horner held hands and kissed in Bahrain.

In the fire Without the driver or father Jos present, Horner is said to have had open discussions with Max Verstappen’s manager, Raymond Vermeulen, in Dubai on Monday. According to Verstappen Sr., Red Bull is “in danger of being torn apart.”

Jos told the Mail, “There’s tension here as long as he stays in position.” “There’s a chance this team could fall apart. Things cannot continue as they are. It’s going to blow up. Even though he is the one creating the issues, he is acting the victim.”

If Horner isn’t fired or steps down from his role, there have even been rumors that Verstappen’s father will take his son away from Red Bull and sign him to a rival team. In an interview with OE24, Marko went on the record saying he won’t obstruct Verstappen’s path, but he also said, “I’m sticking to my ‘no comment’ here as well. The truth is that Max and I have a very trusting relationship.”

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