Christian Horner facing fresh issues as new allegations made in 19-page probe
Christian Horner is facing more challenges with an F1 trade magazine preparing to run a 19-page investigation into the claims of 'inappropriate behaviour' against him.
A Red Bull investigation, run by an independent lawyer, cleared the team boss last week. But messages allegedly sent between Horner and a member of staff at the team were then leaked ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Horner remains in his post as team principal and is set to travel for the Saudi Grand Prix this weekend. He saw Max Verstappen dominate in the season-opening race in Sakhir, with his team-mate Sergio Perez finishing second.
The Red Bull boss has reiterated his innocence, was joined publicly by wife, Geri, in Bahrain and made clear his hope that he can now move forward. He was also supported by Red Bull's majority shareholder, Thai billionaire Chalerm Yoovidhya, who joined the duo on the team's terrace in a public show of support.
But a probe into the claims is set to be published, with fresh allegations being made against him.
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BusinessF1 Magazine are set to publish its own long investigation into the claims. The piece will also document the power struggle at the top of Red Bull Racing to its 5,000 readers. Sources close to Horner have dismissed the piece as 'full of inaccuracies', The Times reported
“I’ve had about 20 to 30 legal battles in my time so I’m familiar with the process," the article's author Tom Rubython, who also runs the magazine, told The Times. “They’ve forgotten about us. They [Red Bull Racing] are so busy chasing mainstream media, they forgot our magazine is coming out.
"Our magazine is usually about business, sponsorship and engines — a good old scandal is very rare.”
Mr Rubython also admitted that he did not put his claims to Red Bull, offering them a right to reply, before publication. He said: "If I'd put the claims to Christian I'd have had an immediate injunction or attempted injunction… Harbottle [Horner's lawyers] are going to have a problem if they go for us in the morning.
"Whether they will or not, I do have a certain reputation of not caving."
Horner saw Max Verstappen win the Bahrain Grand Prix for Red Bull on Saturday (Clive Rose/Getty Images)After the messages were leaked last week, Horner publicly reiterated his denial of the allegations. And he insisted he wanted to now focus on the season, with Red Bull looking to win a third successive championship.
"I will not comment on anonymous speculation, but to reiterate I have always denied the allegations. I respected the integrity of the independent investigation and fully cooperated with it every step of the way," he said in a statement.
"It was a thorough and fair investigation conducted by an independent specialist barrister, and it has concluded dismissing the complaint made. I remain fully focused on the start of the season."
Christian Horner alongside wife Geri at the Bahrain Grand PrixIn their statement on Wednesday, Red Bull Austria, the team's parent company, said: "The independent investigation into the allegations made against Mr Horner is complete, and Red Bull can confirm that the grievance has been dismissed. The complainant has a right of appeal. Red Bull is confident that the investigation has been fair, rigorous and impartial.
"The investigation report is confidential and contains the private information of the parties and third parties who assisted in the investigation, and therefore we will not be commenting further out of respect for all concerned. Red Bull will continue striving to meet the highest workplace standards."
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However, Verstappen's father, Jos, has claimed the team is “in danger of being torn apart” if Horner remains in his role as team principal.
Verstappen Snr said: “There is tension here while he (Horner) remains in position. The team is in danger of being torn apart. It can’t go on the way it is. It will explode. He is playing the victim, when he is the one causing the problems.”
In response, a Red Bull Racing spokesperson said on Sunday: “There are no issues here. The team are united and we are focused on racing.”
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