Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, one of F1’s top drivers, defended Christian Horner’s racing record on Friday amid a scandal centered on alleged messages sent by a Red Bull Racing boss to a female employee.
Horner was acquitted of any wrongdoing this week, but has been in the news since Thursday after scandalous emails he sent to company employees were allegedly leaked to about 200 people, including journalists.
The message, reportedly sent to the employee at Red Bull Racing’s headquarters in Milton Keynes, England, included comments about women with their legs spread apart and Spanx. It was included. According to The Sun.
Verstappen, who has 54 career wins, was asked ahead of Saturday’s Bahrain Grand Prix whether he would continue to support Horner’s leadership.
The 26-year-old racer described Horner as “incredible” as the leader of his racing group.
“Listen, when you look at how Christian conducts himself within the team, he’s an unbelievable team boss and from a performance standpoint, there’s no doubt about that.” He said. According to ESPN.
Verstappen added that his focus was on the “performance side”.
“So, that’s something I’m working on as well. I talk to Christian a lot and he’s been very committed to the team all weekend here, and he’s here for the performance as well. Of course, a little bit. It may be distracting.
“But like I said before, we’re just focused on the performance side of things and that’s how we all work together.”
Verstappen, who has won the F1 championship for the past three years in a row and a fourth one is within the realm of possibility, added that despite the recent news, the team is only focused on winning.
“What you can tell from my side and also from the mechanics and engineers is that over the weekend we are completely focused on the car and the performance here,” he said. “I think that’s the way it should be and that’s what we continue to do because it’s not our business and we’re not particularly involved in it.
“And we’re here and we get paid to do a job. That’s what we do, and that’s what we love to do. So that’s what we do. is the focus.”
Horner, 50, who is married to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, has denied the allegations against him.
“I do not comment on anonymous speculation, but again, I have always denied the allegations,” Horner said in a statement Thursday.
“I respected the integrity of the independent investigation and cooperated fully at every step. This was a thorough and fair investigation conducted by independent expert counsel and concluded with dismissal of the charges.” I will remain fully focused for the start of the season.”
Horner worked as usual on Friday, overseeing Red Bull’s Grand Prix qualifying, according to ESPN.
