Red Bull Racing’s team principal, Christian Horner, has taken centre stage in Formula 1 in recent weeks following allegations of misconduct.
Horner has spoken publicly about the allegations ahead of this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and called for the coverage of the misconduct to stop, following the investigation: “The intrusion on my family has to stop.”
Allegations by an employee against Horner of inappropriate behaviour prompted an investigation that lasted eight weeks, but the outcome Red Bull came to cleared Horner of any wrongdoing.
However, despite being cleared by the team, a collection of private images and messages via a Google Drive folder surfaced just 24 hours later, reigniting the controversy, and calling Red Bull’s decision into question.
The content was sent to F1 personnel, team principals, and the media, and quickly found its way onto social media, where it was scrutinised in the public sphere.
This development fuelled speculation and intensified calls for Horner’s resignation.
Many are now speculating that this move was specifically designed to push Horner out of the team for good and to damage his reputation beyond repair, regardless of the outcome of the investigation.
Following Red Bull Racing Driver Max Verstappen’s win in last week’s Bahrain Grand Prix, his father, Jos Verstappen, claimed: “There is tension here while he remains in position. The team is in danger of being torn apart. It can’t go on the way it is. It will explode.”
Talking directly about Horner, Jos Verstappen said: “He is playing the victim, when he is the one causing the problems.”
Allegedly however, after talks with the Verstappen family, Horner wishes to move on completely from the investigation and allegations, claiming: “It’s obviously been a very trying period.
“I’m married and have three children. And when that intrusion includes your children and the scrutiny that is placed on my marriage… I’m very fortunate that I have a beautiful family and a very supportive wife and I’m the only one that has been named in this. So, of course, it’s very trying.
“The reality is that there was a grievance that was raised. It was dealt with in the most professional manner by the group, not by Red Bull Racing, but by the owners of Red Bull Racing – Red Bull GmbH – that appointed an independent KC, that is one of the most reputable KCs in the land.
“He took time to investigate fully all of the facts. He interviewed all of the people involved together with others of interests, he looked at everything, he had all of the facts. And he came to a conclusion where he dismissed the grievance.
“As far as I’m concerned, as far as Red Bull is concerned, we move on and we look to the future. My wife has been phenomenally supportive throughout this, as have my family, but the intrusion on my family is now enough.”
Despite being cleared by the team, many are questioning the findings and handling of the situation, especially with International Women’s Day (8th March 2024) upcoming.
Regardless, Red Bull Racing claims that they cannot divulge any specific details without approval from all of the parties involved in the case.
Horner referenced this, claiming: “I think it’s a complicated issue, because there is a grievance process that takes place in any company.
“That process is confidential between the individuals and the company itself. I’m not at liberty, unfortunately, due to that confidentiality and out of respect to the company, and of course, the other party, that we’re all bound by the same restrictions.
“And even if I would like to talk about it, I can’t, because of those confidentiality restrictions.
“The only reason that this has gained so much attention, obviously, is because of the leakage and the tension that there’s been drawn in the media, and which has been very, very trying, in many respects, and, particularly, for my family, because it’s all been focused very much in one direction.
“And, of course, others have looked to take advantage of it. Unfortunately, Formula 1 is a competitive business. And there’s been, obviously, elements [that] have looked to benefit from it. And that’s perhaps the not-so-pretty side of our industry.”
