I don't think Toto is the one that looks like a ******. He and Mercedes have had the opportunity to work with one of the best driver's ever, but everyone has a lifespan. It's reasonable that he considers the development of their drivers and how they move through the team. It's not different than stick and ball sports. And that analogy holds even more true when you have a view of the landscape of the young drivers coming out of karting and moving through the ranks.

We will know how things start shaking out tomorrow morning. I'm excited to see how everyone comes through the first practice of the year. It is great to have F1 back this weekend!

 

If Horner was just a "mean boss" than this women needs to buy a helmet and get on with life. Nowadays you can't give a member of the opposite sex a nice compliment without fearing that it could be misconstrued.

It was reported that they offered her a bunch of money which many construed as an admission that something bad actually happened instead of realizing that people make settlements to make an issue go away, regardless of its veracity. If she is indeed now walking away with nothing I wonder if she will get more public with her allegations and/or file a lawsuit.

I'm glad this chapter is over and we can get on with the race season. I'm looking forward to practice on Thursday morning.

 

Horner found not guilty of a termination worthy event, so good for him.

I’m not sure that this rift within the team will be ‘healed’ so quickly though tbh. The egos involved are powerful!

 

So much for transparency.
I think the term they meant to use was 'opacity'.

 

As Scooby Doo says, Rut roh!

 

This is a good article.

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/wh...lear/10580929/

 

The negotiations with Ginger Spice Horner now begin! This may prove more of a challenge for him.

 

Hush money was paid. No two ways about it. Power and money usually buys your innocence.

https://apnews.com/article/red-bull-...edium=news_tab

 

Yet they have the right to appeal? I think the 'hush money' rumor was misinformation trying to tarnish Horner but who knows.

 

You have no basis for making this claim. It's irresponsible....

 

I agree and will add that people settle all the time just to make a problem go away.

A settlement has nothing to do with guilt or even the veracity of the person's case.

 

To be clear, I read the article you posted and it has exactly ZERO content about any settlement or payout. If everything is confidential, as the investigation states, I find it extremely unlikely that any information got out that a settlement was even offered. Further, as Luigi stated, if an offer was made, nuisance value settlement offers are standard practice as defending such allegations would cost more in nominal terms as well as public relations terms. Finally, if the accuser still has the option of appeal, there was definitely no settlement taken as a NDA would most certainly be in order.

 

Based on what Toto has stated after the announcement of HAM leaving for Ferrari and what was filmed back in 2023 and shown on DTS, the announcement had to hurt badly, like a stab in the back to Toto. He's tried to put a good face on it earlier this month, but he simply got played by Hamilton. The intrateam battle between George and Lewis is going to be rather interesting as Lewis will not be given the preferential treatment as he has enjoyed his entire career. Given he's accused his own team of sabotaging him in years prior, I just can't see HAM holding his tongue when things don't go his way.

All that said, I'm in complete agreement that Toto is a complete ****** and like Fred more and more. Straight shooter, no BS or overt politics. He just needs to control his own garage from self imploding and get his money back (The $2m damage caused in Vegas is still up in the air).

 

The first salvo is out. Unfortunately for George, he’ll have to wait for the 2025 car to suit his driving style:

George Russell says Mercedes' 2024 #F1 car has been designed around Lewis Hamilton's wishes, after both drivers struggled with its predecessor's poor handling.

 

The top half of qualifying results looks pretty similar to 2023's Bahrain results. Most of the shuffling appears to be in the bottom half except for McLaren which is higher up to the order. Alpine are no where!

There was an "anonymous" data dump of texts to 700 email addresses up and down the paddock. It is being reported that many emails are sexual in nature. I wonder if this is indeed over with Toto and Zac Brown calling for a continuation of the investigation.