The owner of Red Bull has apparently dispatched a 'Thai spy' to investigate Christian Horner and the rest of the Formula 1 team due to the ongoing scandal.
Horner, the husband of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, was under investigation after allegations of 'inappropriate behavior' were made against him by a female employee of Red Bull.
The team leader was cleared, but the person making the claim, who has since been suspended with full pay by Red Bull, is challenging that decision and has filed an official complaint with the FIA.
The situation has cast a negative shadow over the start of the 2024 season, especially after texts and images supposedly linked to the investigation were leaked.
Furthermore, a conflict has erupted among the main figures at Red Bull, including Horner, F1 champion Max Verstappen, his father Jos, team advisor Helmut Marko, and majority owner Chalerm Yoovidhya.
A report from The Mirror claims that all parties have agreed to a 'public ceasefire' so that the issue does not become a distraction from the team's accomplishments on the track, with Red Bull finishing 1-2 in the first two races of the season.
However, a German media outlet Bild also reports that Yoovidhya, who owns 51% of Red Bull and has been Horner's primary supporter throughout the scandal, has sent a family member to monitor the 50-year-old and the team's entire operation.
Yoovidhya had previously taken a hands-off approach to the management of the F1 team but is now seeking to be more involved, with this family member, referred to as the 'Thai spy', evaluating things on his behalf.
Certain Red Bull staff are 'concerned' about what the 'Thai spy' might report back, fearing that it could lead to a significant restructuring of their operations.
Meanwhile, drivers and teams have arrived in Melbourne ahead of the upcoming Australian Grand Prix, where Verstappen will be hoping to continue his flawless start to the season.
If the three-time champion triumphs at Albert Park, he will equal his own record from last year for the most consecutive victories (10) in the history of the sport.
The 26-year-old is expected to face more inquiries about the scandal and his future with the team leading up to the race, following suggestions from him and his father that he might terminate his contract early if Horner remains or if key ally Marko departs.
Jos has however recently stated that his son has not enjoyed being questioned about the matter, stating: 'The most important thing for us is that Max continues to win, and he is doing just that.
‘The car is very good and between the engineers and Max, there is nothing untoward, so that is also positive.
‘Max knows how to handle that part as well, but he receives numerous questions about what's happening, and he doesn't appreciate that. But that's also part of it, the other side of Formula One.'
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