Amidst a recent internal investigation conducted by Red Bull, which ultimately cleared Christian Horner of any wrongdoing, an employee decided to challenge the outcome. This employee had previously accused Horner, the head of the Red Bull Racing team, of inappropriate behavior. The matter has now been brought to the FIA ethics committee, causing even more controversy within the Formula 1 team. Despite a thorough investigation conducted by an independent and renowned lawyer, no evidence was found to support the allegations against Horner.
Following the internal review, the woman remained employed by Red Bull but was absent from the first two races of the season in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. She was later suspended but continues to receive her salary. Seeking justice, she appealed to the FIA, filing a complaint and urging the organization to reconsider Red Bull’s decision to clear Horner. BBC Sport reports that the employee’s complaint is now officially in the hands of the FIA ethics committee, and she hopes to make Red Bull leadership reconsider their stance on the matter.
When approached for comment by the BBC, Red Bull stated that they were not aware of the recent complaint to the FIA and chose not to provide further comments. This case arises during a period of instability at Red Bull, as highlighted by Jos Verstappen, father of Max Verstappen, who called for Horner’s resignation. However, Horner has consistently denied any wrongdoing and emphasized the need to move forward during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. He emphasized the thoroughness of the investigation and its definitive conclusion.
“The truth is that a complaint was raised and was handled in a highly professional manner by the group, which appointed an independent KC, one of the most respected in the field. He dedicated time to thoroughly investigate all the facts and came to the conclusion that the complaint should be rejected,” Horner said. Despite the ongoing turbulence, Horner’s position at Red Bull seems secure, with reported support from Chalerm Yoovidhya, the team’s majority owner. This situation unfolds within the team’s internal power dynamics, but currently there is no indication that Horner’s position is in jeopardy.
