In the heart of F1’s drama-filled paddock, Christian Horner has launched a heartfelt appeal to squash the scandal that’s put his leadership at Red Bull on the line, and more shockingly, could see Max Verstappen make a jaw-dropping exit from the team.
“Every contract has clauses, that’s clear,” revealed Dr. Helmut Marko, amidst jaw-dropping reports that Verstappen could dart from the team if Marko makes his exit. “We have to see how the whole thing develops.”
The plot thickens as an internal probe gave Horner the all-clear over his conduct with a female staffer, yet the saga rages on. This comes especially after Verstappen’s own father publicly demanded the boss to hand in his resignation.
“I spoke to Jos following the (Bahrain) grand prix,” Horner spilled in Saudi Arabia, as the Red Bull sporting CEO Oliver Mintzlaff plans to make his appearance.
“I think it’s in everybody’s interests collectively that we’ve agreed to move on, to focus on the future. And we both have a vested interest in his son to get the best and to provide the best cars for him and to get the best out of him.”
Verstappen, the three-time world champion, finds himself walking a tightrope between the clashing sides – with Marko, Verstappen, and Mintzlaff on one end, and Horner, plus Red Bull’s 51 percent Thai shareholder, on the other.
“With Didi (Mateschitz), this matter would have certainly been different,” Verstappen said, hinting at the roots of the current turmoil.
Yet, he seems to refute his father’s claims that Red Bull would crumble if Horner remains.
“We’ll, we’re both here now,” said Verstappen. “I’d certainly like a quieter weekend than in Bahrain. A place where everyone feels good and can work well. I hope that we can draw a line under what has been said and what happened in Bahrain,” he continued. “If there are issues, we try to solve them internally. It would be good if we finally talked about our great car. Hardly anyone mentions that,” Verstappen quipped with a smile.
Despite the off-track scandal, 80-year-old Marko believes it’s not affecting their on-track performance.
“As soon as practice starts, everyone is fully focused,” he asserted. “That was also the case in Bahrain. The pitstops and strategy worked perfectly.”
Horner made a desperate plea to the media on Thursday to end the relentless speculation and intrigue, as it’s revealed the accuser has been suspended with full pay. The Daily Mail newspaper unveiled there were inaccuracies in her testimony to the investigator, amid whispers she’s closely acquainted with Jos Verstappen.
Horner admits the ordeal has taken its toll not just on him, but his family too. “I understand that it’s difficult for his family,” former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher weighed in, “but it all came from him. Formula 1 and Red Bull stand for values and if something like this comes up, it needs to be cleared up.”
The looming threat for Red Bull is that Horner’s stance might lead to the powerhouse team’s breakup – especially with the whispered ‘Marko clause’ in the air.
But former Haas boss Gunther Steiner told Bild newspaper, “They (Mercedes) won’t get Max. He surely has a secure contract with Red Bull.”
