Christian Horner has expressed feeling “shocked and disturbed” by the allegations leveled against him, as his fate at Red Bull Racing hangs in the balance.
An investigation was initiated after a female employee accused him of engaging in inappropriate and controlling behavior. Horner vehemently denies these allegations. Today, he is expected to present his case to an independent lawyer hired by his team to oversee the matter.
The employee has reportedly already presented her evidence. Red Bull is keen on swift resolution to prevent the issue from overshadowing their upcoming 2024 car launch scheduled for next Thursday.
A prompt decision regarding Horner’s future is improbable, as the evidence is slated for examination over the weekend.
Horner has served as Red Bull’s team principal since their inception in 2005, playing a pivotal role in their transformation into one of the most successful teams in Formula 1 history.
Nonetheless, according to The Guardian, Horner’s supporters speculate that this situation may be linked to a rumored power struggle among Red Bull’s senior management.
Last year, reports emerged suggesting that Horner was endeavoring to remove long-standing team advisor Helmut Marko, who himself has been a controversial figure.
Despite rumors of a rift, the situation was downplayed. Horner previously shared a strong bond with Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz until Mateschitz’s passing in 2022.
However, with the new managing director Oliver Mintzlaf now leading the team, such a close relationship no longer exists. Mintzlaf has even been considered a potential successor to Horner should he vacate his position.
There are assertions that this investigation, along with Red Bull’s management of the situation, is perceived as an effort to curtail Christian Horner’s authority or potentially remove him from his position entirely.
The team’s sole comment on the matter was their statement issued on Monday: “After being informed of specific recent allegations, the company initiated an independent investigation.
This process, currently in progress, is being conducted by an external specialist barrister. The company treats these allegations with utmost seriousness, and the investigation will be concluded at the earliest feasible time.”
