- Helmut Marko has spoken out after the alleged text messages were leaked
- The 80-year-old was pictured with Horner in Bahrain on Thursday
- Horner was involved in Red Bull’s training ahead of the Bahrain GP
Helmut Marko has broken his silence over the leaked email containing intimate photos and text messages allegedly sent by Red Bull chief Christian Horner to a female employee.
Marko has admitted he was ‘flabbergasted’ after the bombshell email containing 79 documents, including hundreds of messages, was sent to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali, among others.
The document was sent anonymously after Horner was cleared of “coercive behavior” on Thursday following an internal investigation by his team’s parent organization, Red Bull GmbH.
Horner enjoyed a brief moment of joy after his position was confirmed ahead of the opening Bahrain race starting on Saturday, before the leaked exchange involving alleged messages of a sexual nature between the Red Bull team boss and a female employee.
The 50-year-old – who has been a central figure in developing Red Bull’s F1 dominance in recent years – is now fighting to retain his position within the team, with his marriage to former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell ‘now in question’ stands for the future’. first time’ friends revealed to MailOnline.
Helmut Marko has spoken out about the leaked email allegedly containing messages sent by Red Bull team boss Christian Horner to a female employee
Horner (right) was seen with Marko at a Red Bull restaurant in Bahrain on Thursday
Horner and reigning Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen in conversation on the Bahrain circuit
Marko – who is listed as a director at Red Bull Racing – has now spoken out about the leaked exchanges that have thrown Horner’s future into chaos.
‘I am stunned and surprised that the documents have been leaked. I have never seen them myself,” Marko told Bild via motorsport-total.
Red Bull has so far refused to deny the legitimacy of the reports and Horner has issued a statement after legal advice.
“I will not comment on anonymous speculation,” Horner said, “but I repeat: I have always denied the allegations.
“I respected the integrity of the independent investigation and cooperated fully with it every step of the way.
‘It was a thorough and fair investigation, carried out by an independent, specialist lawyer, and it led to the dismissal of the complaint submitted.
“I remain fully focused on the start of the season,” he added.
Marko has admitted he is ‘stunned and surprised’ by the leaked email sent on Thursday
Red Bull was behind Mercedes during training in the run-up to the upcoming Bahrain GP
Horner was involved in practice sessions in Bahrain before qualifying started on Friday
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Horner was involved in practice sessions in Bahrain before qualifying got underway on Friday, spending time with Marko, three-time world champion Max Verstappen and his father Jos in a Red Bull restaurant at the Bahrain circuit.
The show of unity comes at a time when his 19-year role at Red Bull is under threat.
The FIA and F1’s owners, Liberty Media, were weighing their response to the evidence now in the public domain.
Other team leaders Toto Wolff and McLaren CEO Zak Brown have also spoken out about the ongoing incident, with the Mercedes boss calling for more ‘transparency’.