- Max Verstappen arrived in Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix
- The world champion won the first two races of the season
- His Red Bull team is mired in Christian Horner controversy
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
Max Verstappen has touched down in Melbourne ahead of an important Australian Grand Prix week for Red Bull Racing.
The Formula One world champion and his team have been mired in controversy this season following accusations against boss Christian Horner of “inappropriate behavior” by a female colleague.
An internal investigation has cleared former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell’s embattled husband, and the unnamed woman has been suspended from the team for providing “dishonest” testimony.
Hundreds of messages allegedly from Horner – some of a sexual nature – were released to media and F1 powerhouses, but Red Bull claimed he would not be sacked despite calls from Verstappen’s father Jos for Horner to leaves, otherwise he risks tearing the team apart.
Thai businessman Chalerm Yoovidhya owns 51% of Red Bull and reportedly sent a family member – nicknamed the “Thai Spy” – to keep tabs on Horner and the company as a whole.
Max Verstappen arrived in Melbourne ahead of this year’s Australian Grand Prix
The reigning world champion won the first two races of the new season
Despite the off-track drama, Verstappen kept his cool behind the wheel, comfortably winning the first two races of the season in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
And the reigning champion looked relaxed as he landed at Melbourne Airport ahead of this weekend’s race at Albert Park.
The 26-year-old is not completely free from scandal, insisting he would leave the team if Red Bull chief Helmut Marko leaves the company.
Marko has been accused of being behind the leaked messages and has himself admitted that he may not be present at this weekend’s race in case he faces disciplinary action. He has since insisted he will not leave the team.
Verstappen, Red Bull’s main asset, will not stand for Marko leaving – which had raised the prospect of him moving to Mercedes.
The three-time world champion said in Saudi Arabia: “If such an important pillar falls, it is not good for my situation and I told the team.” It plays an important role in my decisions for the future.
Verstappen looked relaxed ahead of big week of racing in the Netherlands
The Red Bull team is embroiled in a scandal involving Christian Horner.
Verstappen, Red Bull’s main asset, will not support Marko’s departure, raising the prospect of him moving to Mercedes. The three-time world champion said: “If such an important pillar falls, it is not good for my situation and I told the team that.” It plays an important role in my decision making for the future. The famous racing operator is said to be present at this weekend’s race.
“For me, Helmut must stay. I have a lot of respect for him and for what we accomplished together. This goes a long way.
“He built this team with Dietrich (Mateschitz, the late founder of the energy drink company).”