When better than to get rid of bad news than during the summer Formula One summer break when fans and paddock folk alike are otherwise engaged? A second independent investigative process has now considered the appeal from a female employee who claims team boss Christian Horner behaved ‘inappropriately’ towards her.

Red Bull Racing began this season engulfed in a huge media scrum as details emerged that their team boss had been accused by a female employee. Her complaint was considered by an independent KC (Kings Counsel) and finally rejected.

That decision was announced via a brief Red Bull GmbH statement that said an unspecified “grievance” had been “dismissed”. It said the report was “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”.

 

 

 

Piranhas circle Horner

A ‘kiss and tell’ style anonymous email then was sent to around 150 senior F1 paddock personnel allegedly containing documents from the hearing. The Piranhas smelled blood in the water and began to circle.

Arch rivals Toto Wolff and Zak Brown took the first bite demanding Red Bull be transparent over what had occurred. This despite there being no precedent in British law for this kind of reasoning.

In a press conference in Bahrain, Wolff raised the question: ”I believe that as a global sport, it needs more transparency, and I wonder what the sport’s position is?”

Brown reasoned it was the FIA’s responsibility to ensure Red Bull were not sweeping the matter under the carpet. “I think the sanctioning body [the FIA] has a responsibility and authority to our sport and the fans. All of us in Formula 1 are ambassadors for the sport, on and off the track, like you see in other sports.

“They need to make sure things have been fully transparent with them. And I don’t know what those conversations are – and it needs to be thorough and fully transparent, that they come to the same conclusion that has been given by Red Bull and that they agree with the outcome.”

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Red Bull power struggle

Of course the FIA had no jurisdiction over Red Bull GmbH and failed to react to Brown’s dog whistle and neither did Liberty Media who own the commercial rights to the sport.

The saga was believed to be part of an internal political struggle within the Red Bull organisation which had been building since the death of entrepreneur and founder Didi Mateschitz just over a year earlier.

It has been suggested that Christian Horner was seeking more power in decision making and that Dr. Helmut Marko was being sidelined. Max Verstappen’s father appeared to become the mouthpiece for those who wanted Horner out publicly stating: “The team is in danger of being torn apart. It can’t go on the way it is. It will explode. He is playing the victim, when he is the one causing the problems.”

Sergio Perez backed his boss from the off claiming the team was as united as ever, yet Max Verstappen informed the media if certain “crazy” things happened he could be forced to leave Red Bull before his contract expires in 2028.

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Verstappen claims Marko built team

Further he publicly backed Dr. Marko giving him the credit for making Red Bull Racing what they are today. ”My loyalty to (Marko) is very big. I’ve always expressed this to everyone within the team, everyone high up, that he’s an important part in my decision-making for all the time in the future as well within the team.

“He has built this team together with Dietrich from day one, and he’s always been very loyal to the team, to everyone within the team, to make sure that everyone would keep their positions already from back in the day.”

Marko himself fuelled the fire coursing through the Red Bull organisation by suggesting he could be suspended by Red Bull for the weekend of the Australian Grand Prix. The inference was it was the Austrian who had facilitated the leaked documents in the anonymous email and that he would now be the focus of an investigation.

Matters appeared to calm down after the arrival in Australia of Red Bull minority shareholders who were allegedly behind the plot to assassinate Horner’s reputation. With the entire cabal photographed as one big happy family, the media drama which had been running for a month, finally ran out of steam.

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Female employee appeal fails

Yet behind the scenes the female employee had appealed the decision to reject her complaint against Horner and she was reported to have been suspended on full pay for the duration of this legal process.

Now Red Bull have issued a statement which reads: “Earlier this year a complaint raised against Christian Horner was investigated,” Red Bull said a statement shared to RaceFans. “That complaint was dealt with through the company’s grievance procedure by the appointment of an independent KC [King’s Counsel] who dismissed the grievance.

“The complainant exercised the right to appeal and the appeal was carried out by another independent KC. All stages of the appeal process have now been concluded, with the final outcome that the appeal is not being upheld.

“The KC’s conclusions have been accepted and adopted by Red Bull. The internal process has concluded. The company respects the privacy of all its employees and will not be making further public comment on this matter at this time.

“Red Bull is committed to continuing to meet the highest workplace standards.”

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Employment tribunal for Horner

The female employee had engaged more aggressive legal counsel for the appeal and they had suggested via a ‘family friend’ who commented to the Mirror, that should it fail, then they would take matters to a UK employment tribunal.

Such a process can only begin once the internal company complaints procedures have been completed and with the current back log in the British courts it is likely this will run well into next year when the sworded details behind the complaint cold be made a matter of the public record.

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US F1 legal threat

F1 faces legal investigation over Andretti – Free media under fire as F1 faces congressional and legal scrutiny over Andretti rejection. Liberty Media, the powerful conglomerate that owns Formula One, is currently navigating turbulent waters as it finds itself at the centre of a dual investigation by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and intense scrutiny from members of the US Congress.

At the heart of the controversy is Formula One’s decision to block Andretti Autosport’s bid to enter the championship, a move that has sparked accusations of anti-competitive behaviour and a fierce political backlash… READ MORE