Following the news earlier in the week, Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has been interviewed today by an independent investigator as parent company Red Bull look into allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
With news breaking earlier this week of an independent investigation within Red Bull into alleged inappropriate behaviour from Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner, it is understood that Horner, who has led the team since their inception in 2005, was today interviewed by an external specialist barrister appointed by Red Bull.
Sky Sports F1’s Craig Slater reports that Horner sat down today to discuss the allegations made against him of ‘controlling and coercive behaviour’ by a female member of Red Bull staff. The interview with Horner, who has denied the alleged offence, is believed to have concluded shortly before 7pm local time this afternoon, having lasted around 8 hours in London on Friday. No resolution has been reached at this point with Sky Sports reporting a long process can be expected.
Horner has continued to maintain his innocence in the matter and intends to clear his name, however it remains to be seen when a conclusion on the matter will be reached as reports suggest the timescale of the process is independent of Formula 1.
This suggests the dark cloud of an ongoing investigation into a team member may remain over the team as they launch their 2024 challenger on February 15th.
“My understanding is this will operate to the timescale which the investigator sets,” the Sky Sports report explained. “Not to a Formula 1 timescale, so it means there’s every likelihood it could still be ongoing, this process, even as Red Bull are launching their car next Thursday, which is the 15th of February. It could even still be ongoing as we enter Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain on the 20th of this month.
“Paramount in all of this is that there is fairness to the parties involved and that’s why they employed this independent investigator in the first place.”
According to a source, Horner was at the team’s Milton Keynes factory on Thursday and was in high spirits as he talked to other members within the Red Bull Racing organisation. The unfolding situation has left employees in the factory in a state of confusion and are very much in the unknown as the 2024 season rapidly approaches.
