JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia – A female employee at Red Bull Racing has been placed on suspension with pay following allegations of inappropriate behavior against team principal Christian Horner, a confidential source revealed on Thursday. Details regarding the suspension were not disclosed, but it is linked to the outcome of an external investigation that resulted in the dismissal of the complaint against Horner.
Red Bull GmbH, the parent company of Red Bull Racing, stated that the woman has the right to appeal the decision to dismiss her complaint. The team declined to comment on the suspension of the employee. Horner, when asked about the suspension during a news conference, cited confidentiality restrictions that prevented him from discussing the matter.
The regulatory body for the sport, FIA, declined to comment on the team’s actions against its employee, deferring inquiries to F1. Since the grievance was dismissed, Horner has faced additional scrutiny after messages exchanged between him and the complainant were leaked on the eve of the new F1 season in Bahrain. However, the authenticity of the leaked messages could not be verified.
Horner expressed confidence in his role following the Bahrain Grand Prix, where his team achieved success. Despite criticism from Max Verstappen’s father, Horner remains positive about continuing in his position. Verstappen, on the other hand, affirmed his commitment to Red Bull and emphasized the importance of a positive work environment.
Discussions have taken place regarding Horner’s future role within the team, with key stakeholders expressing varying opinions on the matter. As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on the team’s performance on the race track, with both Horner and Verstappen aiming for success in the upcoming Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.