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Max Verstappen has called for “peace” at Red Bull amid the Christian Horner “sexual texts” scandal.
The Dutch world champion’s victory at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah on Saturday was overshadowed by the ongoing saga.
There have been reports that the woman at the center of the scandal plans to appeal the decision that cleared the Red Bull boss of “coercive behaviour” towards her.
She was suspended from her position at Red Bull last week after screenshots of alleged text conversations between her and Horner were leaked via an anonymous email.
During the race weekend in Jeddah, Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko said he would not be leaving the team following crucial talks with the company’s sporting director Oliver Mintzlaff.
Max Verstappen has asked for “peace” at Red Bull with the team trapped by the scandal
Team manager Christian Horner, pictured with his wife Geri Halliwell, is at the center of a scandal over alleged ‘sexual texts’ he sent to an employee.
Red Bull adviser Dr Helmut Marko (right) said the Formula One team would not suspend him after being accused of leaking evidence about Horner’s behavior (left).
Marko’s departure could well have led to Verstappen joining him in a show of loyalty to the man who guided him.
Before Saturday’s race, Verstappen said Sky Sports F1 It was “absolutely” good news that Marko’s future seemed to be resolved.
Asked after his second win of the season if he would really consider leaving, Verstappen added: “I always said the most important thing is that we work together as a team and that everyone keeps the peace.”
And I think we all agree on that within the team. Let’s hope that from now on, that will also be the case.
‘Everyone tries to focus in the same direction. And I think the positive thing about all this is that it didn’t hurt the performances. So it is a very strong team.
‘I think also mentally, which you can see not only from the driver’s side, but also from the mechanics’ side, the engineers, they are all there to do their job.
“And I think everyone, even when things happen or whatever, they’re just focused on their job like they should be.”
Marko (left) with Verstappen (second left), Horner (second right) and Sergio Perez (right) after Red Bull took another victory in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
In an interview with Sky, Verstappen added: “I think everyone knows that it is important to have peace in the team and focus solely on the driving and performance aspect.”
“So that’s what we try to do as a team.”
Red Bull achieved a consecutive double in Jeddah with Verstappen winning and Sergio Pérez in second place, the same result as in the season opener in Bahrain a week earlier.