F1 live updates - Christian Horner accuser 'suspended' amid growing F1 scandal

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Return same time, same place tomorrow for the big one.

Pierre Gasly was allowed to leave AlphaTauri due to worries over his F1 future

Toto Wolff on claims Max Verstappen could quit Red Bull to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believes there is little reason for Max Verstappen to leave Red Bull, but left the door open for a potential move.

Wolff is faced with the daunting task of replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. The seven-time world champion departs at the end of the season for Ferrari.

It has been suggested the Brackley-based team already have the likes of Verstappen and Fernando Alonson on their list of prospective drivers to replace Hamilton. Red Bull's Dutch racer currently has a contract until 2028.

However, Verstappen's future with the constructor has come under increased scrutiny amid the controversy around Christian Horner. The team principal has been cleared of alleged inappropriate behaviour towards a female colleague but a series of private messages and photos purported to be from Horner were then leaked.

Read the story here.

Max Verstappen defends his dad's explosive Christian Horner claim - "He is not a liar"

Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has declared his father Jos "is not a liar' after the retired racing driver's claim that Red Bull could explode should Christian Horner remain with the team.

Verstappen Sr's comments ensured that the future of Horner remained under the spotlight in addition to that of his son. Ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Verstappen was asked whether his father would regret such remarks.

"I have not asked him that but my dad, from how I know him in go-karting, is very outspoken and he is not a liar, that is for sure," said Red Bull's lead driver. "My dad and I are very close. We call every day."

ICYMI - Jos rant "not helpful"

Lewis Hamilton has criticised Jos Verstappen for publicly questioning the future of Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.

Ahead of this Saturday's Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia, Mercedes driver Hamilton was asked to weigh in on the controversy which continues to engulf the sport. "I don't know the details of it," he said.

Red Bull and Ford to announce powertrains deal at New York F1 season launch

"So I don't know what he's basing these foundations off. But at the end of the day, he's not a part of the team, he's a parent. And so that's just an opinion, but it's definitely not helpful."

11 - 20

11. Yuki Tsunoda (RB) +0.839

12. Lando Norris (McLaren) +0.931

13. Zhou Guanyu (Sauber) +0.950

14. Alex Albon (Williams) +0.962

15. Esteban Ocon (Alpine) +1.074

16. Logan Sargeant (Williams) +1.107

17. Kevin Magnussen (Haas) +1.158

18. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas) +1.250

19. Daniel Ricciardo (RB) +1.261

20. Valtteri Bottas (Sauber) +1.326

Top 10 from FP2

1. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) - 1:28.827

2. George Russell (Mercedes) +0.230

3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.331

4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.353

5. Sergio Perez (Red Bull) +0.473

6. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) +0.509

7. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) +0.628

8. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) +0.677

9. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) +0.701

10. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +0.767

Horner responds to claim Max Verstappen will leave Red Bull after father's comments

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is certain that Max Verstappen will see out his his contract with the Milton Keynes-based Formula 1 team.

The under-fire motorsport boss has seen speculation arise over his own position in addition to that of Verstappen after being forced to defend himself over allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a female colleague. Horner was cleared of the allegations before alleged messages and photos sent from the team chief were then leaked to high-ranking Formula 1 chiefs as well as the media.

In the aftermath of those events, the 50-year-old was seen having a frank exchange with Verstappen's father, Jos, during the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend. The former racing driver told the media that Horner's presence would leave Red Bull 'in danger of being torn apart'.

Since then, Verstappen's manager Raymond Vermeulen met with Horner in a bid to clear the air. Neither Max nor Jos were present.

Top five - mediums

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 1:29.543

2. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) +0.017

3. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) +0.122

4. Sergio Perez (Red Bull) +0.344

5. George Russell (Mercedes) +0.392

Verstappen in the lead

Verstappen now sits in first place on the timesheets with a 1:29.543 on the mediums.

Second practice session underway

After a delay to the start of FP2, the racers are now out on the track.

Horner on Verstappen's future

Speaking ahead of Saturday's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Horner also responded to comments made by Jos Verstappen - the father of Red Bull's lead driver, Max - who claimed that the team were "in danger of being torn apart." The Dutchman also told the Mail: "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."

"I'm obviously aware of the comments that were made," Horner said in response. "There was a discussion subsequent to the race and I think everybody's focus is very much on the future.

"The team's focus is very much on defending both of these these world titles we have fought so hard to achieve. Our focus is very much on the future and, as I say, discussions took place following the race in Bahrain and we are all looking forward."

BREAKING: Horner breaks silence after accuser suspended over Red Bull scandal

Christian Horner believes it is "time to draw a line" under his alleged inappropriate behaviour after Red Bull moved to suspended the female colleague who accused him.

Horner, who's married to Spice Girls star Geri Halliwell, was last week cleared of the allegations after the conclusion of an internal investigation which ran for more than three weeks. Twenty four hours after Red Bull announced that they'd dismissed the grievance ahead of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, however, alleged messages and photos sent from Horner were leaked senior Formula 1 chiefs as well as the media.

F1 long-serving team boss strongly denied the accusations and maintains his innocence. It emerged on Wednesday afternoon that Red Bull had suspended the complainant, whose right to appeal the verdict of their investigation is understood to have expired today, March 6.

Asked about the suspension hours later during a team principals press conference ahead of this Saturday's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Horner replied: "I can't comment on anything that's confidential between the employee and the company."

ICYMI - FIA to investigate allegations against president

The FIA has confirmed it is investigating allegations against its president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

It has been alleged that the FIA president interfered with the result at the 2023 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix in Jeddah. A whistleblower has alleged that Ben Sulayem intervened to overturn a controversial penalty given to Fernando Alonso during last year’s Saudi Arabia Grand Prix.

He also allegedly told officials not to certify the Las Vegas circuit for its race last year. The whistleblower told the BBC they were told "on behest of the FIA president" to find a way not to pass the circuit safe for racing.

“FIA confirms that the Compliance Officer has received a report detailing potential allegations involving certain members of its governing bodies," the FIA said in a statement. "The Compliance Department is assessing these concerns, as is common practice in these matters, to ensure that due process is meticulously followed.”

Second practice schedule

Right, with the first practice session out of the way, attention will turn to the rest of the weekend.

The second practice session gets underway at 16:45 GMT. Practice 3 takes place tomorrow afternoon.

Practice One over

And the first practice ahead of the 2024 Saudi Arabia GP is over. And do you want us to shock you? Max Verstappen was the quickest.

Take a look at the top ten below:

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 1:29.659

2. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) +0.186

3. Sergio Perez (Red Bull) +0.209

4. George Russell (Mercedes) +0.280

5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.371

6. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) +0.505

7. Lando Norris (McLaren) +0.572

8. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) +0.577

9. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) +0.921

Leclerc makes Mario jibe

Ferrari star Charles Leclerc seems far from pleased with the state of the track in Jeddah.

Taking to the team radio during practice, he said: "The track is like Mario Kart. There are plastic bags everywhere."

He has been forced into the garage to clean up his car.

Hamilton fires Mercedes message

The first practice of the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix is underway and Lewis Hamilton is not happy.

Speaking over the team radio, he said: "You've got to fix the rear bouncing, mate."

Lewis Hamilton has admitted Max Verstappen could replace him at Mercedes (Getty Images)

Aston out to make a point

Aston Martin didn't enjoy the same success in Bahrain as they had done 12 months ago.

The team began mixing it with the big names last term and will be out to show in Saudi Arabia that they remain a threat.

Drivers arriving in Saudi

BREAKING: Horner's accuser suspended by Red Bull

The Telegraph reports that the staff member who accused Christian Horner of 'inappropriate behaviour' has been suspended by the team.

Read the full story here.

Geri set to be absent in Saudi

Christian Horner's wife Geri Halliwell is expected to miss this Saturday's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after her show of unity with the Red Bull team principal last weekend.

Before last Saturday's race got underway, Horner made his way out the back of Red Bull's hospitality suite to meet wife Geri, who arrived at the main entrance of the paddock. The Spice Girls icon and her husband of 10 years then held hands as they walked in full view of photographers and TV crews.

Tsunoda needs more control if he wants Red Bull drive

Yuki Tsunoda admits he needs to learn to better control his emotions if he does want to potentially land a promotion to Red Bull with several drivers eyeing the seat for next year.

“Definitely it’s a thing I have to improve, for sure,” he said. “If I do those things again for sure there will be more issues. I know these are things I have to improve mainly, so I’m working on it, and I’ll sure improve. [I] need more than two steps, not just one step for example.

“I have confidence that I can improve that, and it’s up to them if they want me or not for the rest of the things. [I’m] mainly focusing on those, self control, but other than that I have pretty good confidence that I’m achieving most of it and I just keep improving.”

Hamilton understands why Max is on Merc radar

Lewis Hamilton has admitted that Max Verstappen is a contender to replace him at Mercedes.

Despite signing a multi-year contract back in August 2023, Hamilton confirmed last month that he is set to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari ahead of the 2025 season. That has opened up a vacancy at the Silver Arrows, with Verstappen among the drivers linked to fill that position.

Hamilton added: "I wouldn't say I am surprised that he is being considered. He is a great driver. And Max in that moment did what he had to do. It was nothing on him. It was the sport that let us down and that wasn't his fault. If I was in his position I would have done the same thing, so there are no issues there.

"If you run a team you want the best driver and a driver that brings in the eyeballs and brings in the sponsorship and he is one of those. I understand it but it wouldn’t make sense for him, but it will be interesting to see.

"George (Russell) is an integral part of this team and he will be here for the long haul. He is doing a great job and he will grow to be a leader of this team so it will be interesting to see what their relationship looks like but I am sure they will work it out. It will definitely be a strong line-up."

Max overlooks Perez in championship fight

Max Verstappen has overlooked Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez when predicting this season's top three in the championship.

The Dutchman is looking to win the world championship for the fourth straight year and got off to the ideal start when he claimed a dominant victory in the season opening Bahrain Grand Prix. Verstappen led home a 1-2 with Perez climbing up from fifth on the grid.

The world champion was asked, during a Q&A when previewing the season on Viaplay, who he thought would finish in the top three, and overlooked his team-mate. “Me, then Lewis (Hamilton), and then Charles (Leclerc)," he replied.

Horner preparing for Saudi weekend amid continued noise

FIA to investigate allegations against president

The FIA has confirmed it is investigating allegations against its president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

It has been alleged that the FIA president interfered with the result at the 2023 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix in Jeddah. A whistleblower has alleged that Ben Sulayem intervened to overturn a controversial penalty given to Fernando Alonso during last year’s Saudi Arabia Grand Prix.

He also allegedly told officials not to certify the Las Vegas circuit for its race last year. The whistleblower told the BBC they were told "on behest of the FIA president" to find a way not to pass the circuit safe for racing.

“FIA confirms that the Compliance Officer has received a report detailing potential allegations involving certain members of its governing bodies," the FIA said in a statement. "The Compliance Department is assessing these concerns, as is common practice in these matters, to ensure that due process is meticulously followed.”

Jos rant "not helpful"

Lewis Hamilton has criticised Jos Verstappen for publicly questioning the future of Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.

Ahead of this Saturday's Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia, Mercedes driver Hamilton was asked to weigh in on the controversy which continues to engulf the sport. "I don't know the details of it," he said.

"So I don't know what he's basing these foundations off. But at the end of the day, he's not a part of the team, he's a parent. And so that's just an opinion, but it's definitely not helpful."

Jos takes aim at Horner

Jos Verstappen hasn't held back on Christian Horner as he fears the team will be "torn apart".

He said: "There is tension here while [Horner] remains in position. The team is in danger of being torn apart. 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."

Verstappen insists his father is not a liar

Max Verstappen maintains that his father is "not a liar" after Jos Verstappen claimed that Red Bull would "explode" if Christian Horner remained at the helm.

Verstappen said on his father: "He was always very outspoken and is not a liar. That's for sure. That's from my side what I can say about things."

Horner rides out Bahrain storm

Christian Horner was cleared by an internal investigation last Wednesday before texts, allegedly between him and a female employee, were released.

Horner continued to dismiss any speculation throughout the weekend.

He said: "Obviously it's not been pleasant, the unwanted attention. But the focus is now very much on the cars. My focus has very much been on what's going on on-track and the result today I think demonstrates where the whole team's focus is and we move onwards."