Christian Horner
Discussion
lauda said:
You could look at some of the 452 pages of this thread, since I think we’ve covered it all before, but since you ask, primarily his total unwillingness or inability to reign in the dangerous and unsportsmanlike conduct of his driver.
Whilst simultaneously blowing smoke up his arse and then crying like a baby about every indiscretion of other drivers and teams.
ah, ok, so just doing what all TPs do; support his driver and disrupt other teams to the max. Whilst simultaneously blowing smoke up his arse and then crying like a baby about every indiscretion of other drivers and teams.
No problem, I just wondered if there was some specific incident which got on your nerves, of which I was unaware.
deadslow said:
lauda said:
You could look at some of the 452 pages of this thread, since I think we’ve covered it all before, but since you ask, primarily his total unwillingness or inability to reign in the dangerous and unsportsmanlike conduct of his driver.
Whilst simultaneously blowing smoke up his arse and then crying like a baby about every indiscretion of other drivers and teams.
ah, ok, so just doing what all TPs do; support his driver and disrupt other teams to the max. Whilst simultaneously blowing smoke up his arse and then crying like a baby about every indiscretion of other drivers and teams.
No problem, I just wondered if there was some specific incident which got on your nerves, of which I was unaware.
Durzel said:
As far as the sport goes all he's really done is wind up Toto and co. None of this PA stuff is relevant or contaminative to the sport whatsoever.
To be clear, you are suggesting his conduct is irrelevant to a sport which is trying to increase the number of women involved? That is celebrating when we have females getting senior positions. It is your view that the conduct alluded to by the PA is of no consequence to that? You think this is the 1960s? lauda said:
Max only drives for one team and therefore only one TP has to regularly put himself in front of the cameras to defend the indefensible.
I feel like I'm saying this into a black hole considering the biases always displayed in any RB/Max/Horner thread, but maybe time to check your biases. Toto was going after Max whilst this was happening.
TPs always defend their drivers.
If you were able to step back and look objectively, you would be able to pick out instances of other drivers showing unsportsmanlike behaviour, or poor driving standards that are then defended by the TPs. Doing so is part of being a good TP.
jimmsy said:
lauda said:
Max only drives for one team and therefore only one TP has to regularly put himself in front of the cameras to defend the indefensible.
I feel like I'm saying this into a black hole considering the biases always displayed in any RB/Max/Horner thread, but maybe time to check your biases. Toto was going after Max whilst this was happening.
TPs always defend their drivers.
If you were able to step back and look objectively, you would be able to pick out instances of other drivers showing unsportsmanlike behaviour, or poor driving standards that are then defended by the TPs. Doing so is part of being a good TP.
The other drivers generally don't drive like Verstappen, hence they don't need that kind of defence. There are plenty of examples where Team Principles don't support their drivers when they screw up, especially if they're on their way out.
Jasandjules said:
Durzel said:
As far as the sport goes all he's really done is wind up Toto and co. None of this PA stuff is relevant or contaminative to the sport whatsoever.
To be clear, you are suggesting his conduct is irrelevant to a sport which is trying to increase the number of women involved? That is celebrating when we have females getting senior positions. It is your view that the conduct alluded to by the PA is of no consequence to that? You think this is the 1960s? Since you’ve already decided the facts on what his conduct was. care to furnish us all what it was? All I remember seeing is some grubby, but unsubstantiated and selectively presented WhatsApp screenshots. The general public are not privy to any actual evidence, even if many have already made their minds up, as is customary.
How does that bring the sport into dispute, or stymie the prospects of women entering the sport? Beyond you just stating it as a fact I mean.
Again, it’s all hyperbole. The notion that a workplace affair that goes wrong is an indictment on the sport as a whole is ridiculous on its face. It’s a private matter - like it would be in any other business - and it no more reflects on F1 than it does McDonald’s or Barclays or whatever if/when it happens there.
Edited by Durzel on Thursday 6th March 20:50
Durzel said:
The notion that a workplace affair that goes wrong is an indictment on the sport as a whole is ridiculous on its face. It’s a private matter - like it would be in any other business - and it no more reflects on F1 than it does McDonald’s or Barclays or whatever if/when it happens there.
McDonald’s?https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-50283720
& they sacked him just for the relationship ...& that's without any mention of 'pesting' or 'coercion'
some people need to join the 21st century
Says in the audible he “violated company’s policy”, ergo an explicit contract breach. I also mentioned previously about RBR’s involvement if there has been an equivalent breach in this instance.
It seems so far there hasn’t been, or it hasn’t been proven. In fact hasn’t it been explicitly disproven by an independent inquiry? (though if they rule that he has no case to answer then they’re compromised, so no answer there would really suffice).
I’m not a fan of Horner, and on the balance of probabilities I can well believe that he’s copped off with that PA. Not going to condemn someone on the strength of an unsubstantiated WhatsApp convo though, and therefore extrapolate hyperbolic pronouncements about the terrible scars it would leave on F1.
It seems so far there hasn’t been, or it hasn’t been proven. In fact hasn’t it been explicitly disproven by an independent inquiry? (though if they rule that he has no case to answer then they’re compromised, so no answer there would really suffice).
I’m not a fan of Horner, and on the balance of probabilities I can well believe that he’s copped off with that PA. Not going to condemn someone on the strength of an unsubstantiated WhatsApp convo though, and therefore extrapolate hyperbolic pronouncements about the terrible scars it would leave on F1.
Edited by Durzel on Thursday 6th March 22:03
Durzel said:
Says in the audible he “violated company’s policy”, ergo an explicit contract breach. I also mentioned previously about RBR’s involvement if there has been an equivalent breach in this instance.
It seems so far there hasn’t been, or it hasn’t been proven. In fact hasn’t it been explicitly disproven by an independent inquiry? (though if they rule that he has no case to answer then they’re compromised, so no answer there would really suffice).
I’m not a fan of Horner, and on the balance of probabilities I can well believe that he’s copped off with that PA. Not going to condemn someone on the strength of an unsubstantiated WhatsApp convo though, and therefore extrapolate hyperbolic pronouncements about the terrible scars it would leave on F1.
From the start of this until upto today, I don't think any of what is suspected (or basically obvious, for anyone that isn't dead slow) has any bearing on F1 itself or his capacity to run a team. He got his fingers stuck in his PA, that's the raw long and short of it! Not exactly anything to be proud of now it's out in the open but it's not a sporting matter or a case of him being declared a hopelessly evil individual imo. I prefer to think of it in terms of him being a colossal bellend. I thought he was a colossal bellend 10 years ago, all that has happened since is that he's confirmed my suspicions by proving he's a colossal bellend.It seems so far there hasn’t been, or it hasn’t been proven. In fact hasn’t it been explicitly disproven by an independent inquiry? (though if they rule that he has no case to answer then they’re compromised, so no answer there would really suffice).
I’m not a fan of Horner, and on the balance of probabilities I can well believe that he’s copped off with that PA. Not going to condemn someone on the strength of an unsubstantiated WhatsApp convo though, and therefore extrapolate hyperbolic pronouncements about the terrible scars it would leave on F1.
Edited by Durzel on Thursday 6th March 22:03
Obviously if the details become fully public and it turned out he put serious pressure on his PA to play ball, he could become untenable as a public figure in the sport, but even if that were true, he's valuable to the brand so that simply won't happen - it'll be dealt with.
We will never know the details here, all we can do is make up our own minds about how we feel about Horner - and honestly this whole episode hasn't changed my already very low opinion of him.
Nova Gyna said:
For someone who’s supposedly been cleared twice, he’s putting in a hell of a lot of effort into keeping a lid on all this. I didn’t know about the RRO, but gagging the entire British press seems a bit strong, innocent or not.
I’ve just got wind of the RRO too, seems a bit heavy handed and will be ineffectual outside of UK based news outlets. It’s due to be heard in court during Jan 2026, talk about kicking the can far down the road.
Nova Gyna said:
For someone who’s supposedly been cleared twice, he’s putting in a hell of a lot of effort into keeping a lid on all this. I didn’t know about the RRO, but gagging the entire British press seems a bit strong, innocent or not.
He's just a bit camera shy, doesn't like the attention.HarryW said:
Nova Gyna said:
For someone who’s supposedly been cleared twice, he’s putting in a hell of a lot of effort into keeping a lid on all this. I didn’t know about the RRO, but gagging the entire British press seems a bit strong, innocent or not.
I’ve just got wind of the RRO too, seems a bit heavy handed and will be ineffectual outside of UK based news outlets. It’s due to be heard in court during Jan 2026, talk about kicking the can far down the road.
The sponsors will be delighted that it can't be discussed publicly in the press. Horner and Geri will be too, it's a no brainer and isn't indicative of the indiscretions being worse than already suspected. It's also no effort for him (his lawyers) to petition the RRO, it's just paperwork and easily justified for the sake of not allowing press to interfere with the official process that's ongoing.
In the end all that matters is that she takes the payoff ahead of any official judgment being made. Her lawyers and Horny's lawyers will be sharing notes to work out what that payoff should be - and she will accept it, once it's the right size. 99.99% of us would accept it because whilst it's lovely to take a moral stand, it's even more lovely to have a few million in the bank to enable looking after elderly relatives in style, dealing with any unexpected dramas in life etc. Money does matter in a practical sense and can make life easier for those we really care about. Few would take the moral stance for the benefit of the wider world when they can instead be personally compensated for the upset caused and then use that money to enhance their own situation and that of their nearest and dearest. It's also worth remembering that she worked her way up to being the PA of a very famous and wealthy sport exec, there is no way she managed that if she was first and foremost a moral flag bearer, she will definitely have at least been privy to the less than scrupulous dealings of other employers before she got to be Horny's PA. She's clearly had her nose put out of joint by Horny, I expect reasonably so. But she isn't some naïve work experience girl that was pounced upon, she has to be a power player herself - otherwise she would be totally unsuitable for the role in the first place.
Maxdecel said:
Nova Gyna said:
For someone who’s supposedly been cleared twice, he’s putting in a hell of a lot of effort into keeping a lid on all this. I didn’t know about the RRO, but gagging the entire British press seems a bit strong, innocent or not.
He's just a bit camera shy, doesn't like the attention.
TheDeuce said:
Durzel said:
Says in the audible he “violated company’s policy”, ergo an explicit contract breach. I also mentioned previously about RBR’s involvement if there has been an equivalent breach in this instance.
It seems so far there hasn’t been, or it hasn’t been proven. In fact hasn’t it been explicitly disproven by an independent inquiry? (though if they rule that he has no case to answer then they’re compromised, so no answer there would really suffice).
I’m not a fan of Horner, and on the balance of probabilities I can well believe that he’s copped off with that PA. Not going to condemn someone on the strength of an unsubstantiated WhatsApp convo though, and therefore extrapolate hyperbolic pronouncements about the terrible scars it would leave on F1.
From the start of this until upto today, I don't think any of what is suspected (or basically obvious, for anyone that isn't dead slow) has any bearing on F1 itself or his capacity to run a team. He got his fingers stuck in his PA, that's the raw long and short of it! Not exactly anything to be proud of now it's out in the open but it's not a sporting matter or a case of him being declared a hopelessly evil individual imo. I prefer to think of it in terms of him being a colossal bellend. I thought he was a colossal bellend 10 years ago, all that has happened since is that he's confirmed my suspicions by proving he's a colossal bellend.It seems so far there hasn’t been, or it hasn’t been proven. In fact hasn’t it been explicitly disproven by an independent inquiry? (though if they rule that he has no case to answer then they’re compromised, so no answer there would really suffice).
I’m not a fan of Horner, and on the balance of probabilities I can well believe that he’s copped off with that PA. Not going to condemn someone on the strength of an unsubstantiated WhatsApp convo though, and therefore extrapolate hyperbolic pronouncements about the terrible scars it would leave on F1.
Edited by Durzel on Thursday 6th March 22:03
Obviously if the details become fully public and it turned out he put serious pressure on his PA to play ball, he could become untenable as a public figure in the sport, but even if that were true, he's valuable to the brand so that simply won't happen - it'll be dealt with.
We will never know the details here, all we can do is make up our own minds about how we feel about Horner - and honestly this whole episode hasn't changed my already very low opinion of him.
Durzel said:
TheDeuce said:
Durzel said:
Says in the audible he “violated company’s policy”, ergo an explicit contract breach. I also mentioned previously about RBR’s involvement if there has been an equivalent breach in this instance.
It seems so far there hasn’t been, or it hasn’t been proven. In fact hasn’t it been explicitly disproven by an independent inquiry? (though if they rule that he has no case to answer then they’re compromised, so no answer there would really suffice).
I’m not a fan of Horner, and on the balance of probabilities I can well believe that he’s copped off with that PA. Not going to condemn someone on the strength of an unsubstantiated WhatsApp convo though, and therefore extrapolate hyperbolic pronouncements about the terrible scars it would leave on F1.
From the start of this until upto today, I don't think any of what is suspected (or basically obvious, for anyone that isn't dead slow) has any bearing on F1 itself or his capacity to run a team. He got his fingers stuck in his PA, that's the raw long and short of it! Not exactly anything to be proud of now it's out in the open but it's not a sporting matter or a case of him being declared a hopelessly evil individual imo. I prefer to think of it in terms of him being a colossal bellend. I thought he was a colossal bellend 10 years ago, all that has happened since is that he's confirmed my suspicions by proving he's a colossal bellend.It seems so far there hasn’t been, or it hasn’t been proven. In fact hasn’t it been explicitly disproven by an independent inquiry? (though if they rule that he has no case to answer then they’re compromised, so no answer there would really suffice).
I’m not a fan of Horner, and on the balance of probabilities I can well believe that he’s copped off with that PA. Not going to condemn someone on the strength of an unsubstantiated WhatsApp convo though, and therefore extrapolate hyperbolic pronouncements about the terrible scars it would leave on F1.
Edited by Durzel on Thursday 6th March 22:03
Obviously if the details become fully public and it turned out he put serious pressure on his PA to play ball, he could become untenable as a public figure in the sport, but even if that were true, he's valuable to the brand so that simply won't happen - it'll be dealt with.
We will never know the details here, all we can do is make up our own minds about how we feel about Horner - and honestly this whole episode hasn't changed my already very low opinion of him.
Additionally, I had very little interest in this story when it first became known and still don't really. As Deuce has stated, it just bolstered any previously acknowledged unsavoury character traits the weasel had.
Jasandjules said:
Durzel said:
As far as the sport goes all he's really done is wind up Toto and co. None of this PA stuff is relevant or contaminative to the sport whatsoever.
To be clear, you are suggesting his conduct is irrelevant to a sport which is trying to increase the number of women involved? That is celebrating when we have females getting senior positions. It is your view that the conduct alluded to by the PA is of no consequence to that? You think this is the 1960s? I’ll bet you a pint on it that it has zero negative consequences for the sport. The value of the teams and the F1 business will be higher by Jan 1st 2026 than they were in Jan 1st 2024. Which I think is a fair timeframe to cover this whole Hornygate thing.
Jasandjules said:
TheDeuce said:
It's just standard procedure.
Pardon? In 15 years of representing in ETs I have only ever seen one.....Obviously not standard for Joe bloggs that works at Tesco and got caught sending rude messages to Pam on the deli counter.
TheDeuce said:
Her lawyers and Horny's lawyers will be sharing notes to work out what that payoff should be
Fiona Hewitson is from a wealthy family & i wouldn't be surprised if her legal fees are being paid from another party either- as i doubt switching to Goodwin Procter is cheap- so i wouldn't take as a gimme that she's going to settleGassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff