Christian Horner’s accuser has appealed the decision to acquit the Red Bull team boss over allegations of controlling behavior – and filed a complaint with the sport’s governing body, the FIA.
The female employee was suspended by Red Bull after an investigation rejected the complainant’s complaint earlier this month. But now she has lodged a formal appeal with the F1 team’s parent company in the latest twist to a story that has sparked speculation about Max Verstappen’s future at the team, and the prospect of Red Bull staff also leaving .
The employee, who reportedly felt ‘let down’ following the investigation, is said to have had his full pay suspended as a direct result of Red Bull’s investigation, which concluded at the end of last month.
The complainant was told that she had acted dishonestly and received a legal letter, giving her five working days from receipt of the letter to appeal the outcome of the investigation. The BBC also reports that she has filed a complaint with the FIA ethics committee.
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CHRISTIAN HORNER – LATEST NEWS
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LATEST: Christian Horner’s accuser has filed a complaint with the FIA
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NEW: Max Verstappen ‘doesn’t like questions’ about the Christian Horner saga, says father Jos
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The female colleague has also appealed the outcome of Red Bull’s investigation
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Horner was cleared of ‘conduct unbecoming’ before the complainant was suspended
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The Red Bull boss is expected to be present at the Australian Grand Prix this weekend
Christian Horner – latest: Female accuser files complaint with FIA after appeal against Red Bull
09:50 , Kieran Jackson
Christian Horner’s accuser has appealed the decision to acquit the Red Bull team boss following allegations of controlling behaviour. He has also reportedly filed a complaint with the sport’s governing body, the FIA.
The female employee was suspended by Red Bull after an investigation rejected the complainant’s complaint earlier this month. But now she has lodged a formal appeal with the F1 team’s parent company in the latest twist to a story that has sparked speculation about Max Verstappen’s future at the team, and the prospect of Red Bull staff also leaving .
The employee, who reportedly felt ‘let down’ following the investigation, is said to have had his full pay suspended as a direct result of Red Bull’s investigation, which concluded at the end of last month.
The complainant was told that she had acted dishonestly and received a legal letter, giving her five working days from receipt of the letter to appeal the outcome of the investigation. The BBC also reports that she has filed a complaint with the FIA ethics committee.
Jos Verstappen sympathizes with Horner’s accuser
12:10 , Kieran Jackson
“I sympathize with the woman, with everything she has been through, but we will see what happens,” Jos Verstappen told MailOnline, referring to Horner’s prosecutor who has now been suspended. Horner was cleared of wrongdoing by an external investigation.
“Red Bull seems to know what they are doing with her, we will see. But I think it’s up to her to come out and see what happens. I’m not fully aware of what’s happening to her.’
F1 presenter Laura Winter sends a challenging message to women in light of the Horner scandal
11:30 am , Kieran Jackson
F1 TV presenter Laura Winter produced a moving piece for the camera in Saudi Arabia on International Women’s Day. She admitted that it has not been easy being a woman in sports in light of recent events.
The female Red Bull employee who accused team boss Christian Horner of “inappropriate behavior” was suspended yesterday, on the eve of International Women’s Day.
The complainant still has the right to appeal the outcome of Red Bull’s internal investigation, which cleared Horner of any wrongdoing.
But after a difficult month that saw the role of women in Formula 1 returned to the spotlight, Winter sent a defiant message to those working in the sport and to female fans, stressing: “We are here to stay and we are right. where we belong.”
‘We’re here to stay’: F1 presenter sends message to women in light of Horner scandal
Red Bull responds to Horner’s exit claims
10:57 , Kieran Jackson
Following reports in the Austrian press that Horner could be fired ahead of the Australian Grand Prix (March 24), Red Bull released the following statement:
“As Christian has said, he is grateful for the full support of shareholders and that continues.”
Ferrari wants to ‘poach key Red Bull engineers’ amid tensions at Christian Horner’s team
10:32 , Kieran Jackson
Ferrari is reportedly monitoring three key Red Bull engineers as the Scuderia looks to capitalize on the current turmoil among the F1 world champions.
The saga involving Christian Horner and a female colleague accusing him of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ – although the team boss was cleared following an internal investigation – has exposed numerous tensions within the Red Bull camp.
Another tumultuous weekend in Saudi Arabia in which star driver Max Verstappen threatened to leave if advisor Helmut Marko was forced to leave. Red Bull GmbH chief Oliver Mintzlaff played down these rumours, with everyone involved keen to move on despite the continued protests of Max’s father, Jos.
But Ferrari, which is far behind Red Bull this season alongside the rest of the grid, is looking to take advantage of the situation by recruiting key aerodynamicists and performance engineers for 2025, when Lewis Hamilton joins the team from Mercedes.
Italian outlet Gazzetta Dello Sport says Ferrari is eyeing an approach from Red Bull’s aerodynamic development lead Alessandro Germani, performance head Ben Waterhouse and track aerodynamics officer David Morgan.
Christian Horner admits Max Verstappen could leave Red Bull
10:13 , Kieran Jackson
“It’s like everything in life: you can’t force someone to be somewhere just because of a piece of paper,” Horner said after Saturday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
“If someone doesn’t want to be on this team, we’re not going to force someone to be here against their will.
“This applies to both a machine operator and a designer or someone in one of the support functions that runs through the company.”
Christian Horner’s accuser feels ‘let down’ by Red Bull as she ‘decides appeal’
09:59 , Kieran Jackson
The woman who accused Christian Horner of ‘inappropriate behaviour’ says she feels ‘disappointed’ and ‘let down’ by Red Bull, according to reports.
Red Bull F1 team boss Horner was cleared of any wrongdoing following a three-week internal investigation conducted by an external lawyer. A day later, WhatsApp texts of a sexual nature, apparently involving the two parties, were leaked to F1 staff and the media.
Last Thursday, the female complainant was suspended by Red Bull Racing, with full pay. A Red Bull spokesperson said: “The company cannot comment on this internal matter.”
Below is the full story:
Horner’s accuser feels ‘let down’ by Red Bull as she ‘decides appeal’
Christian Horner – latest: FIA statement on a Red Bull employee’s complaint
09:55 , Kieran Jackson
“Questions and complaints are received and managed by the compliance officer and, if necessary, by the ethics committee.
“Both agencies operate autonomously and guarantee strict confidentiality throughout the entire process.
“As a result, we cannot generally confirm receipt of any specific complaints and are unlikely to be able to comment further on the complaints we may receive from parties.”
‘I would like to have him’: Toto Wolff responds to Max Verstappen’s unrest at Red Bull
09:53 , Kieran Jackson
Toto Wolff has revealed for the first time that he would like Max Verstappen to join Mercedes – as Red Bull boss Christian Horner admitted no individual is bigger than the team.
Verstappen’s future at Red Bull is in the spotlight amid the battle for Formula 1’s dominant franchise.
The Dutchman, who won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Saturday for his second victory of the season – and his ninth in a row – sensationally opened the door to a departure from Red Bull when motorsport advisor Helmut Marko is forced to leave.
This weekend it emerged that Marko could be suspended following Red Bull’s investigation into Horner, although the 80-year-old Austrian said ahead of Saturday’s race that he expects to continue.
However, the unrest at Red Bull has put Mercedes – looking for a replacement for Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton in 2025 – on red alert.
‘I would like to have him’: Toto Wolff responds to Max Verstappen’s unrest at Red Bull