According to the PA news agency, Christian Horner’s complaint has been suspended until the outcome of Red Bull’s inquiry into claims of
inappropriate behavior made against the head of the Formula 1 team.
The parent company of the Formula One team, Red Bull GmbH, rejected Horner’s accusations last week following an inquiry headed by a
specialized barrister. Horner had made the charges against her.
Horner has refuted the accusations at every stage of the procedure.
The decision of the investigation may still be appealed by the complainant.
The decision of the investigation may still be appealed by the complainant.
According to Sky Sports News, the complainant—a worker with the Milton Keynes team—has been placed on paid leave of absence.
Red Bull GmbH and Red Bull Racing have been contacted by Sky Sports News to find out the formal cause of the suspension.
In an attempt to grant the complainant’s right of reply, Sky Sports News is contacting representatives of the complaint.
Horner, who is in attendance at the second round of the 2017 Formula 1 season this week in Saudi Arabia, is scheduled to address the
media later on Thursday at 3.30 PM GMT during the team representative press conference.
The first several weeks of the 2024 Formula One season have been overshadowed by allegations of improper behavior by Red Bull’s beleaguered team principal.
The parent business of Red Bull conducted an internal inquiry last month and found Horner innocent of any misconduct.
The story did not, however, end there. The next day, an anonymous email purportedly carrying words from Horner to a female team member was shared to media outlets and Formula One personnel.
After that, Red Bull suspended the employee who was the subject of the accusations.
She has since filed an appeal with Red Bull GmbH, the Formula One team’s parent corporation, challenging the ban.
Since 2005, Horner has led Red Bull to six constructors’ championship victories and seven drivers’ championship victories, with Max Verstappen taking home the last three.
However, earlier this month, Jos Verstappen, the star driver’s father, asserted that Red Bull would be “torn apart” if Horner kept his job.
“Enquiries and complaints are received and managed by the compliance officer, and the ethics committee where appropriate,” the Financial Industry Authority (FIA) stated in a statement to AFP.
“Both organizations function independently, ensuring complete discretion at all times. Consequently, and generally speaking, we are unable to verify that we have received any particular complaint.”
50-year-old Horner has always refuted the accusations made against him.
The former Spice Girls music sensation Geri Halliwell, his wife, joined him at the first two Grand Prix events of the season.
Prior to the Bahrain Grand Prix, Horner stated, “A grievance that was raised was dealt with in the most professional manner.”
One of the most respected KCs in the country, an independent KC (King’s Counsel), took the time to thoroughly look into all of the details.
“He spoke with everyone who was involved and everyone else he thought might be interesting. After considering all the factors, he decided to reject the complaint.