In an incredible turn of events, Red Bull has decided to suspend the woman who had accused Christian Horner of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ on Thursday, March 7.
What is the whole Christian Horner controversy?
Red Bull Racing has found itself embroiled in controversy as the team’s principal, Horner, faced allegations of inappropriate and controlling behaviour, leading to an internal investigation by the parent company. Despite the serious nature of the accusations, Horner had firmly denied any wrongdoing.
The saga began when allegations surfaced against Horner, prompting Red Bull to launch an internal probe to ascertain the veracity of the claims. This investigation was conducted over several weeks and involved an independent KC compiling a report on the matter.
However, the specifics of the report, including its findings and the identity of the lawyer involved, remain undisclosed by Red Bull.
Following the investigation, Red Bull’s board decided to dismiss the complaint against Horner. A spokesperson for the company stated that they could not comment on this internal matter, leaving many questions unanswered.
This decision came despite the leak of an anonymous email containing messages that were alleged to involve Horner. When questioned about the authenticity of these messages during the Bahrain Grand Prix, Horner refrained from confirming their genuineness, with a Red Bull PR handler intervening to prevent further inquiries according BBC Sport.
The woman who brought forth the accusations against Horner has since been suspended by Red Bull. The reason provided to her by the company was dishonesty, adding another layer of complexity to the situation. This development has not only cast a shadow over Horner’s career but also sparked a debate within the motorsport community.
BBC Sport has learned that there is a division within Red Bull, with differing opinions between the Thai side of the business and the Austrian headquarters, which owns a 49% stake in the company. While some factions reportedly pushed for Horner’s removal, Chalerm Yoovidhya, Red Bull’s main shareholder, chose to support the team principal.
Red Bull secured a one-two on the opening weekend of the new season as Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez secured the top two steps of the podium.
