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Formula One presenter Laura Winter says ‘it has not been easy to be a woman working in motorsport’ amid Christian Horner ‘sex texts’ scandal, as she opens up on her troubled past

  • The Formula One presenter sent a message of defiance to women in motorsport
  • Laura Winter claimed ‘it has not been easy as a woman’ working in the sport
  • Her statement comes amidst the ongoing saga involving Christian Horner 

Formula One presenter Laura Winter has sent a message of defiance to ‘women working in F1’ amid the ongoing saga of Christian Horner‘s alleged ‘sex texts’ scandal at Red Bull.

50-year-old, Horner, has been at the centre of a rolling scandal after being cleared but subsequently a batch of leaked texts and pictures alleged to have been sent by him to a Red Bull female employee was released anonymously.

Horner – was present at the Jeddah Corniche circuit for Friday’s qualifying session that saw his driver Max Verstappen claim pole for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prixhas denied the allegations and stated that he will not comment on ‘anonymous speculation from unknown sources’. 

The Red Bull boss who has been in his role for 19 years since the team moved into F1 was previously cleared of ‘coercive behaviour’ following an internal investigation by his team’s parent organisation, Red Bull GmbH.

Winter – who is a woman working for F1’s television channel – has now spoken about how it currently feels to be a woman employed in the sport by posting an emotional message on her social media channels.

Formula One TV presenter Laura Winter has sent a message of defiance to 'women working in F1'

Formula One TV presenter Laura Winter has sent a message of defiance to ‘women working in F1’

Winter's message comes at a time when Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is under pressure over an ongoing alleged 'sex texts' scandal

Winter’s message comes at a time when Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is under pressure over an ongoing alleged ‘sex texts’ scandal

Horner has stated that he will not comment on the 'anonymous speculation' thrown up from the alleged texts leaked

Horner has stated that he will not comment on the ‘anonymous speculation’ thrown up from the alleged texts leaked

Posting a 1 minute 21 second video on her X profile on Friday’s International Women’s Day first revealed how she has previously had to escape an abusive relationship before proceeding to comment on working in F1.

‘International Women’s Day is difficult for me – five years ago on this day I was attacked & escaped an abusive relationship,’ she said.

‘I feel a huge duty and pressure to do something & so I was incredibly grateful and moved to be able to say these words on air.’

Continuing in the video, Winter added: ‘After recent news stories and headlines, it has not been easy to be a woman working in Formula One.

‘I’m personally very proud to be standing here as a woman working in motorsport, a woman working in Formula One, bringing you these shows and sharing this paddock as well with utterly brilliant women.

‘From team personnel to fellow media and to drivers too, all of whom should be celebrated yesterday but indeed every other day, as to should wonderful male allies who are helping us make this sport a better and more inclusive space,’ said Winter.

Horner has faced calls to quit his position as team principal at Red Bull after he faced an investigation but was cleared of wrongdoing

Horner has faced calls to quit his position as team principal at Red Bull after he faced an investigation but was cleared of wrongdoing

Meanwhile, the female member of staff who accused Horner of ‘coercive behaviour’ has been suspended from her position at Red Bull.

Winter later expanded on this weekend’s Grand Prix being hosted in Saudi Arabia, where she has been covering the  and hit out at the Middle Eastern country.

‘It is not lost on us the significance that this opening round was held in Saudi Arabia, a kingdom in which it was illegal for woman to drive before 2018.

She added: ‘To the women and girls in motorsport, to the huge and growing numbers of female fans in this sport, here is a very good reminder for all of us we are here to stay and we are right where we belong.’ 

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