Christian Horner accuser suspended by Red Bull amid growing F1 scandal
Christian Horner's accuser who complained about his "inappropriate behaviour" has been suspended by Red Bull.
Red Bull team principal Horner - who was pictured arriving for the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix practice sessions on Thursday without his wife and Spice Girls star Geri Halliwell - was last week cleared of alleged inappropriate behaviour towards a female colleague after an internal investigation which lasted more than three weeks.
Twenty four hours after Red Bull's announcement ahead of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, alleged messages and photos sent from Horner on WhatsApp were leaked to the media and high-ranking Formula 1 chiefs.
The 50-year-old boss strongly denied the accusations and maintains his innocence. It has now emerged that the accuser, an employee of the Milton Keynes team, has been suspended. Red Bull have remained tight-lipped on the situation but said in a statement: "The company cannot comment on this internal matter."
When asked about the situation during a team principals press conference, Horner replied: "I can't comment on anything that's confidential between the employee and the company."
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The 50-year-old added: "There's been a lot of coverage surrounding this. One has to go back to the basis. A grievance was raised, fully investigated and it was dismissed. We move onwards."
The unidentified woman, who is said to have been suspended on full pay, saw her grievance officially dismissed last Wednesday, although she was given a right to appeal. It is understood the deadline for that appeal was Wednesday, March 6.
The Formula 1 world has been shaken by the scandal, with Red Bull's statement last Wednesday failing to put an end to the controversy. "The independent investigation into the allegations made against Mr Horner is complete, and Red Bull can confirm that the grievance has been dismissed," it read.
"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."
For the time being, it appears to be business as usual for Horner. Pictures have shown him in Saudi Arabia ahead of this weekend’s grand prix set to take place in Jeddah on Saturday.
He was spotted in the paddock ahead of the first practice session which took place on Thursday afternoon, although wife Geri wasn't with her husband. It is understood the Spice Girls icon isn't expected to attend due to other commitments in her schedule.
Horner pictured ahead of the Saudi Grand Prix practice sessions on Thursday without his wifeHorner was spotted deep in conversation with one of his Red Bull colleagues. The reigning world champions will be aiming to make it back-to-back victories to start the campaign after Max Verstappen’s comfortable success in Bahrain last week.
At that race last weekend, Horner and his wife Geri held hands in full view of photographers and TV crews, and the parents shared a kiss following Red Bull's one-two finish through lead driver Verstappen and teammate Sergio Perez, having won the Constructors' Championship for a second successive year last season.
Following the alleged leaked texts which emerged on Thursday evening, Horner issued a fresh statement, saying: "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.
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Geri Halliwell and Christian Horner put on a show of unity in Bahrain (Getty Images)"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."
Under-fire Horner added to Sky Sports after Red Bull's perfect start to the season: "We are a very strong team. We have got tremendous support, tremendous partners and great shareholders behind us as well. You don't achieve this kind of result by not being united."
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