Christian Horner's teammate – who complained about Horner's “inappropriate behaviour” – has been suspended by Purple Bull Racing.
Purple Bull F1 boss Horner has been cleared of any wrongdoing after an inside investigation concluded final week. A day later, a whole bunch of WhatsApp messages allegedly between Horner and a feminine colleague had been leaked to the press.
It has now emerged on Thursday that the accused has been suspended with full pay, with a call to be made primarily based on the findings of an inside investigation. A Purple Bull spokesperson mentioned: “The corporate can’t touch upon this inside matter.
The Unbiased has approached Purple Bull GmbH for additional remark. On Wednesday night time, Purple Bull Racing insisted the complainant had not been fired.
Horner is because of converse in Saudi Arabia this afternoon at a group managers' press convention at 3.30pm (GMT).
In keeping with the complainant, Sky Information5 working days to file an enchantment in opposition to the end result of the investigation after receiving a authorized letter on Monday.
Horner accompanied spouse Geri Halliwell arm-in-arm in a present of unity on the Bahran Grand Prix on Saturday, insisting afterwards he was “completely assured” he would keep in his place this 12 months, regardless of admitting it was a “testing” week. for his household.
The Purple Bull boss was cleared of “inappropriate conduct” final Wednesday following a three-week inside investigation led by an outdoor lawyer following allegations from a feminine colleague, which Horner vehemently denied, earlier than WhatsApp texts – some sexually suggestive – allegedly despatched between the 2 events had been leaked media 24 hours later.
After Horner was fired, a press release from Purple Bull GmbH final week learn: “An impartial investigation into the allegations made in opposition to Mr. Horner has been accomplished and Purple Bull can verify that the criticism has been dismissed.
“The complainant has the proper to enchantment. Purple Bull is assured that the investigation was truthful, rigorous and neutral.
“The investigation report is confidential and incorporates personal data of the events and third events who assisted within the investigation, and due to this fact we won’t remark additional on it out of respect for all events concerned. Purple Bull will proceed to try to fulfill the best requirements within the office.”
Nonetheless, this newest improvement comes amid tensions inside Purple Bull, notably between star driver Max Verstappen's father, Jose, and Horner. Horner met Verstappen's supervisor Raymond Vermeulen in Dubai earlier this week in an try and diffuse tensions.
The one-on-one talks came about with out star driver Verstappen or his father Jose current, two days after Verstappen Snr insisted the group would “implode” if Horner remained in his position and claimed the Purple Bull F1 boss was “enjoying the sufferer”. Horner and Verstappen Snr had been seen in a heated change at Purple Bull's hospitality unit on the weekend.
Nevertheless, the Dubai assembly reportedly “went properly”, with the second race of the 2024 season happening this Saturday in Saudi Arabia. Max's father Jos won’t be current in Jeddah resulting from his participation within the rally in Belgium.
It additionally emerged that three-time world champion Verstappen, who cruised to victory in Saturday's season opener in Bahrain, has a clause in his £50m-a-year contract that permits him to depart if group adviser Helmut Marko leaves Purple Bull. .
Final 12 months, Horner wished to quietly do away with the 80-year-old Mark, who’s a agency ally of the Verstappen household. The cut up resulted in rumors that Verstappen might depart earlier than his contract expires in 2028, hypothesis deepened when Jos was seen in dialog with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff within the paddock in Bahrain.
On Wednesday, forward of this Saturday's Saudi Grand Prix, Verstappen was requested if he might ever see himself in a Mercedes and refused to rule out a muffler.
“The factor is, no person would ever see that Lewis. [Hamilton] he switched to Ferrari,” he informed reporters in Jeddah. “It's not F1 associated, it's simply common life. You by no means know what’s going on round you or what would possibly have an effect on you. You possibly can by no means inform one hundred pc what is going to occur.
“However I additionally don't assume an excessive amount of about it – I'm very relaxed. I’m very pleased with the group, the efficiency is there, there is no such thing as a purpose to depart.”
Mercedes driver Russell insisted the Silver Arrows ought to goal Verstappen if the Dutchman is offered. Nevertheless, Wolff was extra reserved in his evaluation of the state of affairs, saying there was “no purpose” for Verstappen to depart Purple Bull given their present dominance.
“The [2025 driver] the market may be very fascinating,” he informed Sky Italia. “Crucial factor for a driver is to be with whoever is quickest and there’s no purpose for Max to depart Purple Bull anytime quickly.”
“However we'll see what occurs.
Horner, 50, is the longest-serving group boss on the F1 grid, having been on the helm because the group was based in 2005.
Horner, who signed a contract extension with Purple Bull till 2026 in 2021, was listed as a CBE within the New Yr's Honors for providers to motorsport, having beforehand been awarded an OBE in 2013.
He led Purple Bull to 6 Constructors' Championship wins and 7 Drivers' Championship triumphs – three for Max Verstappen and 4 for Sebastian Vettel.
Purple Bull gained 21 of twenty-two races in 2023 in its most profitable 12 months in Method 1 up to now, with Verstappen cruising to his third consecutive championship.
