Texting scandal the only thing that can slow Red Bull – now accuser has been suspended
Christian Horner’s accuser has been suspended following Formula One powerhouse Red Bull’s investigation into “inappropriate behaviour” against the racing team’s principal.
Horner, 50, was allowed to remain in his role after Red Bull Racing’s parent company GmbH said last Wednesday that the grievance against him had been dismissed.
PA understands the complainant, an employee of the Milton Keynes team, has now been suspended on full pay. She is believed to have received a legal letter at the beginning of this week, and now has five working days to appeal the outcome of the investigation which has cast an enormous shadow over Red Bull and the sport.
A Red Bull Racing spokesperson said: “We are unable to comment as it is an internal matter.”
Horner, who has always denied the claims made against him, said in a press conference on Thursday: “I am afraid I can’t comment on anything that is confidential between an employee and the company.
“There is a grievance process that takes place in any company and that process is confidential between the individuals and the company itself.
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“So even if I would like to talk about it, I can’t because of those restrictions.”
Horner added: “I am fortunate I have a beautiful family and a very supportive wife. It has been very trying, and very challenging … the intrusion on my family is now enough. We need to move forward and focus on what we are here for … which is to go Formula One racing.”
Back on the track Max Verstappen, in the Red Bull, was doing just that, being fastest in first practice ahead of Saturday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. However, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso was quickest after second practice with Mercedes driver George Russell second and Verstappen third.
Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes team were fined nearly $A25,000 – and the British driver slapped with a warning – following a near “serious high-speed crash” in second practice.
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Williams driver Logan Sargeant was forced to take evasive action to avoid hitting the back of Hamilton’s slow-moving Mercedes.
Formula One’s stewards said Mercedes should have informed Hamilton that Sargeant was approaching him on a quick lap.
Earlier Hamilton refused to rule out a Mercedes move for Verstappen, however unlikely it may sound, because his own decision to join Ferrari next season showed anything is possible.
Verstappen has a contract at Red Bull until 2028 but has been talked of as a possible replacement for the seven times Formula One world champion after relations soured between his father Jos and Horner.
“My move has shown that anything’s possible, and it’s going to be a really interesting next six months or so,” Hamilton said.
“I don’t have an extra scoop. I know that… I’m sure Max is on the list, but I’m pretty sure he’s tied up, and also, I couldn’t see why you would leave a car that is that good,” added the Briton.
with Reuters
