The controversy around Red Bull’s team principal Christian Horner seems to have no end, even as the organization stays shut and tries to bury the situation deep underground.
The reveal
Dutch outlet De Telegraaf broke the news in early January about Horner’s investigation for ‘inappropriate conduct,’ which began in December 2023.
The report said the team boss had been reported by a female employee, and that an independent barrister was analyzing the evidence before arriving to a conclusion. Red Bull, at the time, had confirmed the news but refused to comment further, and Horner denied the allegations.
Fast forward to days before the Red Bull team launch and more details saw the light: the claim against the Britton was for “sexual misconduct,” a huge reveal that was already damaging Horner’s image, partly because his employer was staying so silent about the process that was underway.
Many expected Horner to be either sacked or to resign from his role at the team after pre-season testing, but that did not happen.
Horner stays
“Last Wednesday, Red Bull released a statement saying, “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 the right to appeal.”
However, details were kept hidden, as they were during the entire course of the drama as it unfolded.
“The investigation report is confidential and contains the private information of the parties and third parties who assisted in the investigation, and therefore we will not be commenting further out of respect for all concerned.
“Red Bull will continue striving to meet the highest workplace standards.”
The conclusion didn’t sit well with many, including Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff who said that the statement was “pretty basic, and my personal opinion is that we can’t look behind the curtain.”
“At the end of the day, there is a lady in an organization that has spoken to HR and said there was an issue, and it was investigated.
“[When Red Bull revealed the statement], the sport received the message that it was ‘all fine, we have looked at it’, and I believe that as a global sport on such critical topics, it needs more transparency.
“I wonder what the sport’s position is, we are competitors, we are a team and can have our own opinions, but it is more like a general reaction that we as a sport need to address what is right in that situation.
“We cannot afford to leave things in the vague, the opaque, on critical topics like this because it is going to catch us out,” Wolff concluded about the matter.
Tensions within the box
The discontent with Horner didn’t only happen outside the Red Bull box, as Jos Verstappen, father of current champion Max, who is regularly seen inside the team’s garage accompanying his son, also expressed that “the situation is not good for the team and is driving people apart.”
“He [Horner] is playing the victim when he is the one causing problems,” Jos said.
But that’s not a big deal when you look at the broader spectrum, as Motorsport-Total reported that Red Bull GmbH CEO of Corporate Projects and New Investment, Oliver Mintzlaff, wanted Horner out of the team.
Initially, the organization had proposed that the team principal resign. Then, his departure could have been attributed to ‘health reasons.’
It didn’t work.
Horner didn’t want to lose his role, and decided to have his lawyers intervene, making use of a clause in his contract that allowed him to have an arbitration, “which gives him the right to an independent investigation in the event of such allegations,” according to the previously-mentioned source.
The evidence
An anonymous source sent emails to team principals as well as high ranks within Formula 1 and accredited journalists, linking a Google Drive folder containing alleged ‘evidence’ from the Horner investigation, including screenshots and other images.
The veracity of such evidence has not yet been verified, and it is actually expected that a second Drive folder will be on its way soon.
One thing is clear: someone really wants Horner out of Red Bull.
Many had credited Jos Verstappen as the mastermind behind a plan to get rid of the team principal but he denied those rumors, labelling them as ridiculous.
It is still unclear who sent the emails and why, so one can only speculate.
What’s next?
Horner’s image within the sport has inevitably suffered a great hit – one the Britton is hoping will fade away with time as he continues with his role within Red Bull as if nothing happened.
It also affects Red Bull, who have been criticized for the way they’ve handled the situation, even from partners Ford, who will return to Formula 1 in 2026 alongside the Austrian brand.
Only time will tell how things will further develop from here onwards, but what’s clear is that this won’t be an easy topic to ignore for weeks to come.
Horner is a disgrace for the sport.