F1 News: Christian Horner Accuser Makes Formal FIA Complaint Over Alleged Misconduct
A formal complaint has been lodged with the FIA by the woman who has accused Red Bull team principal Christian Horner of misconduct. The grievance marks a significant escalation in the ongoing saga.
Key Takeaways:
- The complainant has formally approached the FIA's ethics committee, following accusations against Christian Horner of inappropriate behaviour, according to BBC Sport.
- This action comes in the wake of the closed internal investigation concerning Horner's conduct towards a female employee.
- Red Bull Racing has expressed unawareness of the new complaint, maintaining silence on the matter, while Horner aims to move past the controversy.
Red Bull Press Image
The woman involved in the allegations against Christian Horner has filed an official complaint with the FIA's ethics committee. This move intensifies the scrutiny on Horner, who has consistently refuted the claims made against him. The situation has reportedly unfolded against a backdrop of two prior whistleblower complaints, which have raised serious questions about the internal dynamics at Red Bull Racing and the potential for concealment of misconduct.
The initial whistleblower complaint, received by the FIA on 2 February, directly addressed Horner's behaviour towards a female staff member, urging the governing body to investigate the matter and highlighting concerns over a possible cover-up by Red Bull. A subsequent complaint on 6 March echoed these concerns and hinted at the whistleblower's intention to go public with the information.
Red Bull Press Image
Despite the growing controversy, the FIA has remained silent on the issue, and Red Bull Racing has declared its lack of awareness regarding the new complaint, choosing not to comment further. The complainant's resolve to pursue her grievance with the FIA follows Red Bull's rejection of her initial complaint, which was dismissed after an inquiry led by an independent lawyer. In an unexpected turn of events, she was suspended from her role at Red Bull shortly after the dismissal.
The accusations against Horner first emerged in early February, though the investigation into his conduct began nearly a month prior and spanned 10 weeks. Red Bull enlisted an external lawyer for the investigation, whose findings led to the dismissal of the complaint. The aftermath saw a leak of messages purportedly involving Horner to key figures in the F1 community.
Amidst calls to put an end to the controversy, Red Bull maintains the confidentiality of the case details. Horner, speaking at the recent Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, emphasised the thorough and professional handling of the grievance by an independent legal expert, resulting in its dismissal.