F1 News: FIA Releases Statement After Official Complaint From Christian Horner Accuser
The FIA has issued a response following a formal complaint made by the woman accusing Christian Horner of misconduct. The organisation has highlighted the confidentiality and autonomy of its complaint management process.
Key Takeaways:
- A formal complaint against Christian Horner has been lodged with the FIA's ethics committee by the accuser, escalating the situation further.
- The complaint follows an internal investigation by Red Bull, which was previously dismissed, leading to the accuser's suspension.
Red Bull Press Image
The FIA has made a public statement in light of a formal complaint filed against Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner. The complaint, brought forward by a woman alleging misconduct on Horner's part, has been officially lodged with the FIA's ethics committee, marking a pivotal moment in an ongoing dispute that has drawn widespread attention.
The statement reads:
“At the FIA, enquiries and complaints are received and managed by the Compliance Officer, and the Ethics Committee where appropriate. Both bodies operate autonomously, guaranteeing strict confidentiality throughout the process.
“As a consequence, and in general, we are unable to confirm the receipt of any specific complaint and it is unlikely that we will be able to provide further comment on the complaints that we may receive from any parties.”
This statement comes amidst a backdrop of intensifying scrutiny surrounding Horner, who has consistently denied the allegations against him. The issue first came to light following complaints, which suggested possible misconduct and a subsequent cover-up within the Red Bull Racing team, according to BBC Sport.
Red Bull Press Image
The first whistleblower complaint, received by the FIA in early February, called for an investigation into Horner's behaviour towards a female employee, hinting at Red Bull's potential efforts to obscure the truth. A second complaint in March reinforced these concerns, indicating the whistleblower's readiness to publicise their grievances.
Despite the controversy, Red Bull Racing has maintained a stance of unawareness regarding the new complaint and has refrained from commenting further. This follows the team's earlier dismissal of the accuser's initial complaint, which was rejected after an investigation by an independent lawyer, leading to the accuser's suspension from her role within the team.
The saga has been marked by an extensive investigation into Horner's conduct, conducted by an external legal expert, which ultimately led to the dismissal of the allegations. Nevertheless, the situation remains fraught with tension, particularly following the leak of messages allegedly involving Horner that circulated within the F1 community.
As the F1 world watches closely, Horner and Red Bull Racing continue to navigate the controversy, with Horner recently reiterating the comprehensive and professional manner in which the complaint was handled and ultimately dismissed.