Woman at centre of Christian Horner scandal 'let down' by Red Bull after probe
The woman who accused Christian Horner of inappropriate behaviour feels "let down" by Red Bull's dismissal of her grievance.
The female Red Bull Racing employee, whose identity is known to the Mirror but has not been revealed publicly, filed an internal complaint against Horner which prompted an investigation announced by the energy drinks giant's parent company in early February. The 50-year-old, who is married to Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, strongly denied the claim made against him.
An independent barrister was brought in to assess the case and both Horner and the complainant were interviewed to give their respective sides of the story. After they presented their findings to Red Bull bosses, the grievance was dismissed.
The complainant has the right to appeal against that decision but there has so far been no public confirmation that she has done so. She has since been suspended by the team over the matter.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, a friend of the complainant said she felt she had been "let down" by her employer. They said: "She is so disappointed with how it's all gone, especially as she did everything by the book.
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"She raised her concerns in private and did everything right, but she feels very let down by the company. They have suspended her when she followed the proper process diligently and correctly. But for all that she was suspended from the job she loves and from a sport that she is highly regarded in.
"The lack of support is noted and she's just so disappointed with the treatment from her employer. Look at what happened. She complained there was a supposedly transparent, independent investigation, Horner was cleared, and she was then suspended.
Horner continues to lead Red Bull Racing, which won the first two races of the new F1 season (Getty Images)"Questions need to be asked of the Red Bull investigation, transparency would bring confidence in what is happening to her. Who at Red Bull was tasked with establishing the facts? Who at Red Bull had access to all the confidential material that was used?
"Who at Red Bull is making all these decisions and who at Red Bull is making efforts to establish the source of these leaks ? She just can't get over the fact that she made a complaint and was suspended - all she wants is transparency in the process.
"She's had lots of messages of support from friends and family and people in F1 and she is remaining stoical and respecting the process. Notwithstanding there are those questions that need to be asked of Red Bull."
Red Bull GmbH has so far refused to share details of the case in public despite calls for transparency. When it announced that Horner had been cleared on the eve of the first race of the season, the company released a short statement devoid of any specifics.
It simply read: "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 Racing's engine partner Ford appeared satisfied with the process, as the head of the carmaker's global performance arm Mark Rushbrook said: "As a family company, and a company that holds itself to very high standards of behaviour and integrity, we do expect the same from our partners. It appears to us, and what we've been told, was that Red Bull is taking the situation very seriously."
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