Follow all of the updates from Bahrain here as Red Bull look to keep all eyes on the track as Christian Horner’s position as Team Principal remains in doubt following leaked messages and his accuser hits back
It’s been a turbulent few days for Red Bull – to say the least – in Bahrain ahead of the opening race of the 2024 F1 season.
All of the build-up to Bahrain has been dominated by matters away from the track as Red Bull team boss Christian Horner was cleared of “inappropriate behaviour” towards a female colleague by Red Bull Racing parent’s company, Red Bull GmbH, but hundreds of Whatsapp messages allegedly written by Horner have since leaked – making it the talk of the track in Bahrain.
The supposed texts and images on WhatsApp – which Mirror Sport has seen – were leaked to key figures of the F1 paddock including FIA president Mohamed ben Sulayem, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and the nine other team principals. Horner released a statement to once again strongly deny the allegations and maintain his innocence.
It’s understood his accuser is furious with Red Bull and ‘feels crucified’ at how the scandal has been handled. Horner’s wife, Spice Girl Geri, has joined him in Bahrain, but is said to feel ‘humiliated’.
On the track, Verstappen is the odds-on favourite to win in Bahrain, after taking pole position.
Stay tuned throughout Saturday as Mirror Sport brings you the latest from Bahrain.
07:54KEY EVENT
Geri flies in for ‘crisis talks’ with Horner
Geri Horner has flown into Bahrain to join husband Christian after alleged flirty messages he sent to another woman left her humiliated.
And a source claimed last night the former Spice Girl has been in crisis talks with her team amid fears the texts, leaked online and shared by thousands of people, will affect both her and her reputation.
Geri, 51, had told pals she would not meet Red Bull Formula One boss Horner over the alleged messages after it was understood she found out about them, but his family talked her into it.
(Image:Getty Images)07:36KEY EVENT
Horner accuser hits back and ‘feels crucified’ over Red Bull scandal
The anonymous individual who accused Red Bull Formula 1 chief Christian Horner of inappropriate behaviour is “very unhappy” following the decision to clear the 50-year-old, it has been claimed.
Mirror Sport has since seen a number of leaked messages, allegedly between Horner and a member of Red Bull staff. Horner issued a strongly-worded statement on Thursday, reiterating that he denies the allegations made against him.
Now, a source close to Horner’s accuser has spoken out, outlining the anonymous individual’s unhappiness with the situation.
“In her way of thinking it’s all very one-sided and she’s been crucified,” the source said.
“It’s obviously not going to rest now because of these leaks.
“I wasn’t aware of the messages prior to them being picked up by the media and I have no idea at all who is responsible for the leak.”
(Image:PA)07:33Samuel Meade
Brundle’s Horner theory
Formula 1 pundit Martin Brundle has said he feels the scandal involving Red Bull chief Christian Horner needs to be brought to an “absolute conclusion” amid concerns the sport is dealing with “the beginning of the story rather than the end of it”.
“I think it’s indisputable that Formula One is all over the front pages, all over the internet, throughout the world, and it’s not about the racing or who is going to win this grand prix,” Brundle said. “I think it’s unquestionable that it’s not good for F1, what’s going on, and I do believe that some actions need to be taken to move this along and to bring this to an absolute conclusion.
“As I said earlier in the week, it feels like the beginning of the story rather than the end of it. But we will have to wait and see. All allegations have been denied. It’s just a horrible situation, whichever way you look at it.”
07:14Josh O’Brien
Leclerc’s frustrations at second-place
“I’m a bit disappointed, but yeah, we did a good qualifying. It’s been a tricky weekend until now. We were trying quite a few things in practice and then I found the sweet spot in qualifying.
“In Q2 I think I did a .1 which was more or less the lap time that Max did in Q3, so it was there in the car. I think we lost a little bit the rhythm with the used set of C3 in Q3, then you have to readapt to the new tyres and I lost a little bit there, but all in all it’s been a positive qualy.”
It’s been a turbulent few days for Red Bull – to say the least – in Bahrain ahead of the opening race of the 2024 F1 season.
All of the build-up to Bahrain has been dominated by matters away from the track as Red Bull team boss Christian Horner was cleared of “inappropriate behaviour” towards a female colleague by Red Bull Racing parent’s company, Red Bull GmbH, but hundreds of Whatsapp messages allegedly written by Horner have since leaked – making it the talk of the track in Bahrain.
The supposed texts and images on WhatsApp – which Mirror Sport has seen – were leaked to key figures of the F1 paddock including FIA president Mohamed ben Sulayem, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and the nine other team principals. Horner released a statement to once again strongly deny the allegations and maintain his innocence.
It’s understood his accuser is furious with Red Bull and ‘feels crucified’ at how the scandal has been handled. Horner’s wife, Spice Girl Geri, has joined him in Bahrain, but is said to feel ‘humiliated’.
On the track, Verstappen is the odds-on favourite to win in Bahrain, after taking pole position.
Stay tuned throughout Saturday as Mirror Sport brings you the latest from Bahrain.
07:54KEY EVENT
Geri flies in for ‘crisis talks’ with Horner
Geri Horner has flown into Bahrain to join husband Christian after alleged flirty messages he sent to another woman left her humiliated.
And a source claimed last night the former Spice Girl has been in crisis talks with her team amid fears the texts, leaked online and shared by thousands of people, will affect both her and her reputation.
Geri, 51, had told pals she would not meet Red Bull Formula One boss Horner over the alleged messages after it was understood she found out about them, but his family talked her into it.
(Image:Getty Images)07:36KEY EVENT
Horner accuser hits back and ‘feels crucified’ over Red Bull scandal
The anonymous individual who accused Red Bull Formula 1 chief Christian Horner of inappropriate behaviour is “very unhappy” following the decision to clear the 50-year-old, it has been claimed.
Mirror Sport has since seen a number of leaked messages, allegedly between Horner and a member of Red Bull staff. Horner issued a strongly-worded statement on Thursday, reiterating that he denies the allegations made against him.
Now, a source close to Horner’s accuser has spoken out, outlining the anonymous individual’s unhappiness with the situation.
“In her way of thinking it’s all very one-sided and she’s been crucified,” the source said.
“It’s obviously not going to rest now because of these leaks.
“I wasn’t aware of the messages prior to them being picked up by the media and I have no idea at all who is responsible for the leak.”
(Image:PA)07:33Samuel Meade
Brundle’s Horner theory
Formula 1 pundit Martin Brundle has said he feels the scandal involving Red Bull chief Christian Horner needs to be brought to an “absolute conclusion” amid concerns the sport is dealing with “the beginning of the story rather than the end of it”.
“I think it’s indisputable that Formula One is all over the front pages, all over the internet, throughout the world, and it’s not about the racing or who is going to win this grand prix,” Brundle said. “I think it’s unquestionable that it’s not good for F1, what’s going on, and I do believe that some actions need to be taken to move this along and to bring this to an absolute conclusion.
“As I said earlier in the week, it feels like the beginning of the story rather than the end of it. But we will have to wait and see. All allegations have been denied. It’s just a horrible situation, whichever way you look at it.”
07:14Josh O’Brien
Leclerc’s frustrations at second-place
“I’m a bit disappointed, but yeah, we did a good qualifying. It’s been a tricky weekend until now. We were trying quite a few things in practice and then I found the sweet spot in qualifying.
“In Q2 I think I did a .1 which was more or less the lap time that Max did in Q3, so it was there in the car. I think we lost a little bit the rhythm with the used set of C3 in Q3, then you have to readapt to the new tyres and I lost a little bit there, but all in all it’s been a positive qualy.”
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Horner latest
The anonymous individual who accused Red Bull Formula 1 chief Christian Horner of inappropriate behaviour is “very unhappy” following the decision to clear the 50-year-old, it has been claimed.
Follow the story here.
06:59Josh O’Brien
Max in pole position
1) Max Verstappen, Red Bull
2) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
3) George Russell, Mercedes
4) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
5) Sergio Perez, Red Bull
6) Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
7) Lando Norris, McLaren
8) Oscar Piastri, McLaren
9) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
10) Nico Hulkenberg, Haas
06:58Josh O’Brien
Verstappen on his pole position
“It was a lot of fun. The track had a lot of grip but with the wind the last two days, it was tricky to get the whole lap together. It was the same in qualifying. To really get everything out of it in Q3 was a little more difficult but I’m very happy to be on pole. It was a little bit unexpected but luckily in qualifying the car came to us and I felt a bit happier with the whole car.”
