Red Bull’s Christian Horner, Max Verstappen, and Helmut Marko displayed a united front during the Australian GP qualifying, despite the ongoing ‘sex texts’ scandal that has rocked the team. The Dutch driver, Verstappen, clinched pole position for Sunday’s race at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, showcasing the team’s on-track success amid off-track controversies.
During Saturday’s qualifying session, Christian Horner, Max Verstappen, and Helmut Marko were seen engaging in conversation, presenting a facade of unity amidst the turbulent period the team has been facing. Verstappen’s stellar performance secured his third consecutive pole position, outpacing Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz by 0.270 of a second in front of a crowd just short of 131,000 spectators.
Despite the team’s outward display of harmony, the ‘sex texts’ scandal has cast a shadow over Red Bull’s start to the season. Team principal and CEO, Christian Horner, previously faced criticism following the controversy, with even Jos Verstappen, the father of Red Bull’s main driver, expressing disapproval. An internal investigation was conducted prior to the 2024 season, following a complaint from a female employee at Red Bull. Ultimately, Horner was cleared of any wrongdoing just a day before the first practice session at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Verstappen expressed his satisfaction with the qualifying performance, stating, ‘It was a bit unexpected today, but I am very happy with Q3. Both of my laps felt nice and enjoyable. It was a tricky weekend so far but we managed to be there at the end. They [Ferrari] seem very quick in the long runs so there is a question mark over tomorrow.’ If Verstappen secures victory in Sunday’s race, he will replicate his impressive run of ten consecutive victories achieved last season.
Red Bull’s display of solidarity during the qualifying session serves as a testament to their determination to maintain on-track success in the face of off-track challenges. As the team prepares for the race in Melbourne, all eyes will be on Verstappen as he aims to convert his pole position into a triumphant performance on Sunday.
