Christian Horner Australia rumour gets shut down by Red Bull

The biggest rumour surrounding the Formula 1 sexting scandal and Australia has prompted a blunt response from Red Bull.

Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner and Geri Horner. Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images.

Red Bull has denied swirling rumours Christian Horner was set to be sacked before the Australian Grand Prix.

The team principal’s future with the team remains uncertain as rumours swirl of civil war within the energy drink team’s garage — and with world champion driver Max Verstappen.

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With all the drama unfolding inside the world champion team, rumours have swirled about Horner’s future — but the biggest report swirling right now has been shut down by team officials.

Several motorsport news sites, including F1 Insider, reported Horner was set to be axed before the team travels to Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix, beginning March 21.

As first reported by Dutch Formula 1 journalist Erik van Haren, Red Bull said in a statement: “As Christian has said, he is grateful for the full support of the shareholders and that remains the case”.

Leading Formula 1 journalist Thomas Maher also posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Suggestions that Christian Horner is set to be axed before Australia are nonsense rumour-mongering, I’m reliably informed.

“FWIW - more than one publication is suggesting Christian is going to be axed before Melbourne. But this is idle gossip and speculation, according to those I’ve spoken to.”

The couple made quite a public display. Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images.

It was reported over the weekend Verstappen threatened to walk out if the team’s senior adviser Helmut Marko was forced out as a result of the “sext” scandal investigation that has rocked Formula 1.

It has been reported the relationship shared between Horner and Marko has been strained with claims Marko was investigated for information about the “sext” investigation leaking out.

Marko remains Verstappen’s closest mentor and the kingmaker’s voice was a critical factor in the team’s decision to sign the Dutch driver at a young age and then promote him quickly to the senior outfit.

Dr Helmut Marko, Max Verstappen, Christian Horner and Sergio Perez. Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images.

Horner was cleared following an internal investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a female employee.

Hundreds of messages reportedly sent by Horner to the woman were leaked following the conclusion of the investigation. The findings of the investigation have never been made public.

The female employee is reported to have been suspended before the weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

The explosive twists in the scandal continue to drop after it was also reported Verstappen declined opportunities to speak out in support of Horner.

Christian Horner and Geri Horner. Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images.

Horner this weekend spoke out to say a public thankyou to his wife, pop star Geri Halliwell.

She and Mr Horner have been married since 2015 and share a son.

“My wife has been phenomenally supportive throughout this as have my family,” he said.

“It’s obviously been a very trying period. I’m married and have three children.

“When that intrusion includes your children and the scrutiny that is placed on my marriage, I’m very fortunate that I have a beautiful family and a very supportive wife. And I’m the only one that has been named in this.

“It’s very challenging, because when there’s children involved, when there’s families, parents involved, it’s not pretty. It is time now to focus on why we are here, which is to go Formula One racing.”