The scandal surrounding Christian Horner, Max Verstappen's team boss at Red Bull Racing, is not over. Although the Briton has been cleared in an internal investigation, his opponents do not stop there. They have leaked incriminating material from the investigation to almost the entire press room in Bahrain.
An anonymous source sent a link during the second free training session that was circulated in the press center in Bahrain in no time. Via the link you could download 79 files, which form evidence in the case against Christian Horner (50). The Brit, married to Spice Girl Geri Halliwell is accused by his personal secretary of inappropriate sexual behavior. Red Bull's mother house in Austria had discreetly launched an internal investigation into the boss of Red Bull Racing, but it was leaked to the Dutch newspaper 'De Telegraaf'. The scandal surrounding Horner then broke out.
The independent lawyer completed his investigation this week and Red Bull's mother house concluded on Wednesday that Horner was released. With that the affair seemed to be over. “Red Bull Racing has never been stronger,” Horner said on British TV this morning.
Questionable screenshots
Until the material was leaked to the entire media. The files are mainly screen shots from the lady's phone with conversations via WhatsApp. In it she flirts with Horner herself, and apparently something happened between the two, with the consent of both. Later she indicates that boundaries have been crossed and that Horner must dim down. There is also a blurry photo, of which the press room is now wondering whether it is a dickpic or a photo of a finger.
The first question is whether these documents are authentic. In this world of AI, it is easy to manufacture things. If they are real, they are very incriminating for Horner, but it is far from certain whether they would be sufficient for a conviction in a court of law. At the same time, it is very clear that the anonymous party that sent these confidential photos into the world is pushing very hard to hit Horner. Either way, a very dirty game is being played. As mentioned earlier, this fight against Horner is a battle in a wider war for supremacy at Red Bull Racing and at Red Bull's parent house in Salzburg.
The fact that the matter continues is certainly not to the liking of Red Bull, the FIA and F1. It is not clear whether Horner will also survive this new attack. There was a crisis meeting at Red Bull last night. Helmut Marko, the Austrian who is above Horner, has clearly left the circuit dissatisfied.
To be continued.