Jos Verstappen says it’s ‘too late’ for Christian Horner to ‘draw line under’ sext scandal as he backs suspended worker

9 months ago 91

JOS Verstappen says it’s “too late” for F1 boss Christian Horner to “draw a line” under the sexting scandal which has engulfed him.

The former racing driver also gave his backing to the female Red Bull employee who was suspended after the row hit breaking point.

Red Bull CEO Franz Watzlawick and Horner speak today prior to the Saudi F1[/caption]

World champion Max Verstappen, right, and his dad Jos Verstappen, left[/caption]

Geri Halliwell is expected to stand by her husband Horner at the Saudi F1 today[/caption]

Geri Halliwell, 51, is today expected to stand by her sext probe husband at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

The pop icon has been staying in Dubai as Horner, 50, battled a female aide’s discredited claims that he bombarded her with “sexually suggestive” messages.

Former Grand Prix ace Jos, 52, who is the father of current world champion and Red Bull’s prime driver Max Verstappen spoke for the first time since the unidentified staffer was suspended.

He told MailOnline: “I sympathise with the woman, with all that she went through, but we will see what happens.”

When asked if it was time to “draw a line” under the situation, as Horner this week insisted people do, Jos said: “I think it’s a bit too late for that now.

“If that’s what he wants, fine, but I don’t think it will be possible.”

Jos denied there being any truth to speculation that he and the woman are involved in any way and said Red Bull seemed to know what they were doing with regards to her situation.

He added that his chief concern was his son Max – his happiness and how the scandal was affecting him.

The press conference in Saudi Arabia where Horner said it was time to “focus on what is going on on track” was, Jos said, all about him when it should have been about Max, his performance, and the car.

He said he believed Horner is causing problems if he stays in his £8million-a-year job.

Jos previously claimed that Red Bull would “explode” if Horner remained in charge.

His son Max later said in reply to a question about the comment: “I don’t know, I hope not! It shouldn’t be. It’s a strong company, it’s a strong team, a lot of strong team members, so normally not.”

He added: “Ideally as a team, you wouldn’t like to have these moments, but it also shows that I think we are all focused on our job and that’s to perform on the track.”

Horner and Jos were this week seen locked in what appeared to be a fiery argument during the F1 season opener.

Rumours had already began swirling that Jos and Horner had been clashing for months – and the pair reportedly had an explosive row on Friday evening.

Allegations of inappropriate behaviour against Horner were dismissed by a barrister-led probe.

Ginger Spice Geri has been left heartbroken by the scandal, which erupted when the raft of embarrassing messages were released online on the eve of the F1 season opener.

The pop icon put on a toe-curling show of unity at last week’s Bahrain Grand Prix in which Red Bull pulled off a perfect 1-2 triumph led by world champ Max Verstappen.

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.

Geri wanted her husband to cut all contact with his accuser – but he found it impossible to comply as they remained in regular contact at work.

The staffer, who is understood to have worked at the team’s HQ in Milton Keynes, Bucks, was suspended on full pay.

The ongoing saga dogging Red Bull has been complicated by behind-the-scenes clashes between star driver Verstappen’s father Jos and Horner.

Insiders said Jos had become close to the woman – but he has strenuously denied being the text leaker while warning Horner’s team will “explode” if he is not ousted.

Red Bull Racing said: “The company cannot comment on this internal matter.”

Horner was seen in the Saudi Arabia paddock today for practice ahead of the next race without Geri by his side.

Geri was mid-air on her way to Bahrain after her husband was cleared when the texts were published widely online via an anonymous email drop.

Halliwell and Horner have been married since 2015 and share a son.