Max Verstappen has touched down in Melbourne ahead of an important week at the Australian Grand Prix for Red Bull Racing.
The Formula One world champion and his team have been mired in controversy this season following accusations levelled against boss Christian Horner of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ by a female colleague.
An internal investigation cleared the beleaguered husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, and the unnamed woman was suspended from the team for giving ‘dishonest’ evidence.
Hundreds of messages allegedly from Horner – some sexual – were spilled to the media and F1 powerhouses, but Red Bull affirmed he would not be sacked despite calls from Verstappen’s father, Jos, for Horner to walk else risk tearing the team apart.
Thai businessman Chalerm Yoovidhya owns 51 per cent of Red Bull and has reportedly sent a family member – dubbed the ‘Thai spy’ – to keep tabs on Horner and the wider company.
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Max Verstappen has arrived in Melbourne ahead of this year’s Australian Grand Prix
The reigning world champion has won the opening two races of the new season
Despite the off-track drama, Verstappen has kept his cool behind the wheel, comfortably winning the opening two races of the season in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
And the reigning champion appeared relaxed as he landed at Melbourne Airport ahead of this weekend’s race at Albert Park.
The 26-year-old hasn’t been completely removed from the scandal, insisting that he would quit the team if Red Bull chief Helmut Marko were to leave the company.
Marko faced accusations of being the source of the leaked messages and himself admitted that he may not be at this weekend’s race in the event he faces disciplinary action. He has since insisted that he is not leaving the team.
Verstappen, Red Bull’s chief asset, will not stand for Marko going – which had increased the prospect of his moving to Mercedes.
The triple world champion said in Saudi Arabia: ‘If such an important pillar falls away, it is not good for my situation and I have told the team that. He is an important part in my decision-making for the future.
Verstappen appeared relaxed ahead of a big race week Down Under
The Red Bull team has been engulfed in a scandal involving Christian Horner
Verstappen, Red Bull’s chief asset, will not stand for Marko going – increasing the prospect of his moving to Mercedes. The triple world champion said: ‘If such an important pillar falls away, it is not good for my situation and I have told the team that. He is an important part in my decision-making for the future.er the renowned racing operator would attend this weekend’s race.
‘For me, Helmut has to stay. I have a lot of respect for him, and what we have achieved together. It goes very far.
‘He built this team with Dietrich (Mateschitz, the energy drink company’s late founder).’
