8 months ago
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CHRISTIAN Horner’s sexting scandal will be covered in the next season of the hit Netflix show Drive to Survive.
Show chief James Gay-Rees has revealed his team plans to include the saga that rocked F1 in the documentary‘s seventh season.
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GettyIt will potentially reopen wounds for Horner and his wife Spice Girls star Geri Halliwell as they attempt to move on from the drama.
Horner has previously raged against the scrutiny over the scandal – but now it will be the focus of the Netflix show watched by millions.
Brit filmmaker Gay-Rees revealed he has spoken to the Red Bull chief since the scandal broke before the start of the F1 season.
He claims the 50-year-old ex-racing driver told him: “This is all your fault.”
Horner appears to have been referencing the new focus Drive to Survive has put on F1 – especially drama and scandal behind the scenes of the Grand Prix circus.
Speaking of the scandal, Mr Gay-Rees said: “It will have to be referenced in some capacity, yeah.”
“And they will all want it to be told in a particular way, so it’s about treading that line to keep everybody happy, and to keep Netflix happy, and us – so we can sleep at night with the decisions we’ve made,” he told The Telegraph.
Horner was cleared of misconduct by a Red Bull investigation back in February.
But the scandal was taken to a new level when sexually suggestive texts appearing to be sent by Horner were leaked.
Horner’s accuser – a female colleague – has since been suspended by Red Bull and has appealed the decision.
And she reportedly plans to take her case to an employment tribunal as she wants to return to work for the championship-winning team.
Mr Gay-Rees said: “You have to have balance. I think Horner is looking ok for the time being, but it doesn’t feel like it’s done yet.
“It will all depend on how it plays out.”
‘I don’t know what he got up to – and I genuinely don’t have an opinion on it, but he’s been through it and you wouldn’t wish that on anybody.”
Horner’s accuser is reportedly “in it for the long haul” as she continues to fight against the decision to clear her boss, reports The Independent.
A source said: “She remains resolute and is in it for the long haul.
“She’s holding her council for now and wants the matter dealt with privately.”
Horner has always denied any wrongdoing over the allegations and blasted the infamous text leak as “anonymous speculation”.
He has demanded an end to the drama which he described as a “very trying period” for his family.
His wife Geri has stood by him – appearing at his side at the races in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, both won by Red Bull.
Red Bull are first in both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships after a dominant start to the season.
Horner’s star driver Max Verstappen will be looking for his fourth world championship in a row – and won the first two races.
He was only undone in Australia when his brakes caught fire after he lost first place to Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz.
Verstappen however remains the hot favourite for the title.
And the Dutchman, 26, has been one of the most vocal critics of Drive to Survive.
He had previously boycotted the show, refusing any interviews – claiming it had faked storylines and made the drama “over the top”.
Speaking earlier this year, he said: “You don’t see a lot of me on Drive to Survive, which is why I don’t like doing it.
“You probably don’t get the right side of me because it is just an interview, I am just sitting down in a dark room and I hate that.
“They put a mic in front of you and you have to talk about the season which… just have a casual interaction, have fun.”
He added: “Also, some things are just private, right? People don’t need to know what we are doing and what we are saying.”
SCANDAL... LAP BY LAP
FEBRUARY 5: A Dutch newspaper reports a female Red Bull employee has made serious allegations of “inappropriate, controlling behaviour” about Horner to parent company Red Bull GmbH.
FEB 9: Horner is quizzed for nine hours by the lawyer hired by Red Bull to investigate.
FEB 15: He denies the allegations and says they are a distraction for the team.
FEB 15: F1 says it hopes the matter will be clarified at the earliest opportunity after a fair and thorough process.
FEB 26: Red Bull’s engine partner Ford says it is increasingly frustrated by the team’s handling of the complaint.
FEB 28: Horner is cleared of all wrongdoing. The employee is said to have the right of appeal.
FEB 29: Horner says he is pleased the investigation is over.
FEB 29: WhatsApp texts and pictures claimed to be between Horner and the employee are sent to journalists and F1.
MARCH 1: Horner refuses to comment on what he calls “anonymous speculation from unknown sources”.
MAR 2: Horner and wife Geri are pictured hand-in-hand, as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen wins the Bahrain Grand Prix. Horner says before the race: “It’s been very testing for my family but we are very strong and our focus is on this race.”
MAR 3: Verstappen’s dad Jos, claims Red Bull is in “danger of being torn apart” if Horner stays in the job. He denies being the source of the WhatsApp leak, saying: “It can’t go on the way it is. It will explode. He is playing the victim, when he is the one causing the problems.”
MAR 6: Max Verstappen sides with his dad in the row.
MAR 7: Horner says he wants to draw a line under the scandal and hails Geri’s support — as Red Bull suspends the employee.
MAR 15: Horner’s accuser allegedly launches an appeal against the investigation that saw the Red Bull chief cleared.
MAR 16: The female employee lodges a complaint against Horner with the FIA.
MAR 17: Horner reportedly agrees to ‘public ceasefire’ with senior Red Bull Racing management to quell the drama
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